Sandra Kay Gowan

Sandra Kay “Sandy” Reiser Gowan, 78, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 6, 2025, following a period of declining health associated with dementia.

Born in New Philadelphia on February 27, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Marjorie Reiser, and the twin sister of the late Linda Parker.

On August 29, 1969, Sandy married her high school sweetheart, the late James Allen “Jim” Gowan. Jim and Sandy shared 54 years of marriage prior to Jim’s passing on July 18, 2024. For the two of them, marriage was fun, crazy, challenging, exhausting, and exhilarating – and worth every minute.

Sandy completed her formal education and served as a registered nurse early in her adulthood. But her greatest joy and much of her earthly devotion was being a mom to her children, Jay and Julie, a devoted wife, a beloved grandma, and a treasured friend to so many. Serving at church in countless capacities brought Sandy great joy. Her later years were spent traveling with Jim in their Tiffin RV. But when in town, you could find Jim and Sandy either cruising in their Model A or taking friends and family out to the lake. On the boat, Sandy was Jim’s first mate, and she loved hosting friends while Jim taught half of Tuscarawas County how to water ski.

Sandy’s faith was nurtured at Dover Alliance Church where she and Jim were members for over 40 years. Once Sandy learned that knowing and serving God wasn’t about rules and religion, she jumped headfirst into a relationship with Jesus and never looked back. Her faith bubbled out into almost every conversation because she didn’t want anyone to miss out on the joy that she had found knowing and serving God.

Sandy’s legacy will live on in her family including their children, Jay (Angie) Gowan of Chillicothe and Julie (Bryan) McCabe of Pittsburgh; her grandchildren, Rachel Gowan, Dylan Gowan, Kyra (Wyatt) VerHill, Sierra McCabe, and Keyshawn Hodge; siblings, Gene (Amy) Reiser, Bill (Claujean Tan) Reiser, and Joan (Eric) Stoner; siblings-in-law, Jack (Elise) Gowan and Dr. Anne (Dr. Lowell Shira) Gowan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Sandy was preceded in passing by her twin sister, Linda Parker.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Rev. Rick Rose will officiate a service for Sandy at 10:30 am in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home on Thursday June 12, 2025. Burial will follow in Schoenbrunn Meadows. Dover Alliance Church will host a luncheon immediately following the burial.

Memorial contributions in Sandy’s memory may be directed to Dover Alliance Church.

We grieve deeply – but with a sense of celebration for a life well lived.