Hallie Cowan

Hallie Marshall Cowan

WORCESTER - Hallie Marshall Cowan, 68, passed peacefully into glory on March 29 in Worcester, MA due to complications from MSA (Multiple System Atrophy). She was attended in death by her husband Len Cowan, her daughters Sarah Cowan Johnson and Betsy Cowan Neptune, and her sons-in-law Greg Johnson and Anthony Neptune.

Hallie was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Sidney Marshall, and brother John Marshall. She is survived by step-mother Patricia Marshall; siblings Anne Woiwode, Delia Marshall, and Heather Jacobsen; and grandsons Noah and Silas Johnson.

In childhood, Hallie loved music, family adventures, running, and playing trumpet. Her home in West Chester, PA, "The Green Forest," was a gathering place for family and friends from all over the world. She gave her life to Jesus in high school, while attending St. John's Episcopal Church.

Hallie attended Wellesley College, where she joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and received her BA in Music. Her junior year, she studied at Dartmouth College, becoming one of the first women to attend, lettering in field hockey.

In 1974, Hallie met Len Cowan. They dated while she ministered with InterVarsity at Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Yale, and married in 1976.

After living briefly in Hamilton, MA and New York City for Len's seminary training, they moved to Fitchburg, MA where Len served at Christ Church. During summers, Hallie assisted in directing Camp Monomac in Rindge, NH.

In 1981, Len and Hallie began 19 years of service in Agawam, MA at St. David's Episcopal Church, where Hallie taught Bible studies and led the junior choir and retreats. There they raised two daughters, Sarah (b.1981) and Betsy (b.1982), leading them to Jesus.

Hallie returned to InterVarsity staff in 1990, serving for 11 years at Smith College and impacting a generation of women from all over the world.

In 2001, Len and Hallie moved to Northborough, MA where they served at Church of the Nativity. Hallie led music and Bible study ministries and developed The Refuge, a spiritual life center. She loved the giant yard of the parsonage, where she cultivated an impressive garden and created nature trails in the woods.

Hallie became a spiritual director in 2000 and pioneered a ministry of spiritual formation and prayer for InterVarsity New England, serving as its Director for 15 years. Hallie ministered with her words and her presence. She is remembered for her ministries of hospitality, teaching, prayer, mentoring, and spiritual direction. She helped many to become more deeply rooted in Christ.

Hallie loved being grandmother "Mimi," making stuffed animals, playing in the woods, and pointing the boys, who adored her, to Jesus.

In 2017, Hallie was diagnosed with MSA, a degenerative neurological disease. She retired from InterVarsity but continued ministering in her home with Len at the Abbey of the Way, a spiritual retreat center.

In her final years, Hallie's MSA robbed her of movement and speech. Despite this, she maintained her peaceful presence, dignity, life of prayer, ministry of hospitality, sense of humor, and deep love for those around her. Though by the end she could not walk, Hallie faithfully ran and finished her spiritual race and is now running with her Lord.

A worship service in celebration of Hallie's life will be held on Saturday, April 10th at 11:00 AM ET, live-streamed on Facebook and at www.thejourneyma.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to InterVarsity New England, designated to the Hallie Cowan Memorial Fund, by visiting www.givetoiv.org/HMCMemorial.