Pamela Jean COWIN

1945 - 2021

Pamela Jean Cowin, 76, native of Spokane Valley

Pamela Jean (Taylor) Cowin passed away peacefully on June 16th. She was a loving wife, supporting mother, sister, grandmother, and a dear friend to all who knew her. Pam was tenacious and resilient, achieving positions in upper management of corporate America, but she was happiest while tending her garden. She was a marathon runner, a painter, an avid reader and intellectual, and had a playful spirit – never more on display than with her granddaughter Nora. She was 76.

Pamela had battled Alzheimer's disease bravely for several years.

Born to Anita and Gordon Taylor on May 10th, 1945 and raised in Spokane Valley, Pam graduated from Central Valley High School in 1963, where she was active as a scholar and cheerleader. The year of her graduation, she represented the Spokane Valley as a Lilac Princess before enrolling at Washington State University, where she graduated with a degree in English in 1967. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority for all four years at WSU, and served as Secretary of the senior class in the 1966-1967 academic year.

Pam moved to Southern California with her first husband Dr. Richard Robertson (div), and worked as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines and Air California before earning a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Wright State University in 1974. Over the course of her career she excelled in her role as Human Resources Manager for organizations such as the Federal Reserve Bank and California Technical University, and the corporations Philip Morris and Shakey's.

Although she reveled in her role supporting the staff of these businesses, she felt her greatest role was that of mother to Katharine, born in 1980. Together, she and Katie traveled the world. Pam loved experiencing art and culture and passed along that passion to her daughter.

Her husband John Cowin predeceased her in 2014. She is survived by daughter Katie Pfeffer, son-in-law Brian, and granddaughter Nora of Los Angeles; her sister Sheila Smith of Newman Lake; niece Amanda Smith of Coeur D'Alene; and nephew Grant Smith and his wife Ashlee of Phoenix.

Pam's family will be forever grateful to Victoria Gardens in San Jacinto, California for spearheading her memory care and keeping her safe and lively during her final years.

A private memorial ceremony will be held at the family's farm in Newman Lake next summer. If you are moved to make a donation on Pam's behalf, please consider the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. https://alzfdn.org/.