Ellen Cowley

Ellen Cowley passed away peacefully on September 4, 2009, in her San Francisco home, where she resided for over 50 years. The eldest daughter of George and Antoinette Morch, she was raised in the Richmond District, where she attended Lafayette Elementary School and Presidio Junior High. Ellen subsequently graduated with honors from Lowell High School. After graduation Ellen worked in the field of insurance, most notably as an underwriter for San Francisco's Erlanger, Reed, Dinner & Meyer. Ellen ultimately resigned that position to care for her family on a full-time basis. After her children were well into their schooling, she began a second career in the personnel department of Sears and Roebuck's Geary Street store, where she worked until its closure in the early '90's. Given her thirst for knowledge and personal growth, Ellen took that opportunity to pursue her lifelong desire to obtain a college degree. She enrolled at San Francisco State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in history and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key honor societies. Ellen volunteered as a "Candy Striper" at Letterman Hospital during World War II. In the 60's and 70's she was a docent at the California Academy of Sciences, where she led student and small group natural history tours. During that time she was also an active member and officer of Stanford Children's Hospital Auxiliary, raising funds for children with life threatening diseases. Ellen had a long and remarkably healthy life. She was an avid tennis player, hiker and most recently exercised regularly at the Olympic Club as a member of the "Senior Jocksters." True to form, Ellen was active, engaged, independent, self-sufficient and living life on her own terms until her last breath, which was her fervent desire. Ellen was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She is survived by her three children: Antoinette ("Toinie") LeMond and her husband Bob, of Port Orchard, Washington; Carole Cowley and her husband Richard Young, of San Diego; Chuck ("Rocky") Cowley and his fiancee Kathleen O'Connor, of Marina del Rey; as well as her two grandchildren Luke LeMond and his wife Karyna, of Tampa, Florida; and Michelle (LeMond) Cayford and her husband Tim, now residing in Paris, France. Ellen will be deeply missed by her family. A Memorial Service will be held in Ellen Cowley's memory at St. John of God Church, 1290 5th Avenue (at Irving) on September 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Ellen's name to: Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340, Palo Alto CA, 94301; Attn: Gift Processing. We love you and miss you, dearest Mom. RC, CC, TL