Long-time Aberdeen resident Barbara Ileene “Barb” Cowan, aged 89, passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma on Aug. 15, 2024.
She was born in Kelso, Washington on March 13, 1935, to parents Richard Shedd and Vivian Catherine (Cox) Shedd. Her family moved to Aberdeen when she was two years old. The second oldest of 12 siblings, Barb made sure her younger brothers and sisters were cared for after the early deaths of both her parents. She attended and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1954. On Dec. 10, 1954, she married her sweetheart, James Cowan, in Aberdeen. Jim worked at the Grays Harbor Paper mill while Barbara focused on caring for the family home and raising their three children. Barbara went to work for the Aberdeen School District as a teacher’s aide at Stevens School in 1971 and retired in 1993. She had a passion for working with the students and enjoyed running into many of her past students while out in the community.
Barbara was very creative and honed her skills in a variety of crafts including quilting, sewing, and decorations. Barbara completed her very first quilt in 1988 and was encouraged to enter it in the Grays Harbor County Fair. She won three awards for it that year, and said it was the first time she ever won anything. She enjoyed playing Bingo with her sisters, and baking for her large family. She also had a great love of books and was a very enthusiastic reader. She could often be found piecing puzzles together in her living room. For several years she volunteered her time distributing movie posters for the 7th Street Theatre and enjoyed visiting people at the businesses where she delivered them.
Barbara loved her family above everything else and for many years Christmas Eve family gatherings for the extended Shedd family were held at her and Jim’s home. She would start planning holiday gatherings many weeks before the holiday in anticipation of the event, and thoroughly enjoyed being around her family.
Barb had an indelible sense of humor, and would often outshine her husband’s well-known trickery with her own wit. For years she crafted funny homemade cards for loved ones’ birthdays, graduations and retirements. She meticulously put together over 20 volumes of family photo albums, narrated in the captions with her own voice and humor.
Halloween time was one of Barb’s favorite times of year. She put together personalized gift bags for her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbor kids. Always organized, she kept a pencil and paper by the door and kept track of how many trick-or-treaters came to the door so she could compare her records to the previous year and know how much candy to buy the next year. She often developed funny and creative ways to greet the trick-or-treaters and often got her kids and grandkids involved.
Barb’s humor was matched only by her patience, both of which were qualities she perfected in her 70 years of marriage to Jim. Those who know Jim would agree that you never know what creature he might bring home or prank he might be up to next. When Jim brought home a pet crow, or decided he wanted to try a new recipe for cattails or Japanese Knotweed, she took all of this in stride.
The Cowan household was often considered “home base” for the neighboring Southside kids. Many generations of kids from the neighborhood were delighted to spend their summer days entertained by “Mr. C’s” magic tricks and were fed by “Mrs. C’s” never-ending supply of baked goods or cold treats from the freezer. Barb and Jim always had an open and inviting home, and many of their children’s friends, and grandchildren’s friends have recalled cherished hours spent around the kitchen table simply spending time with Jim and Barb.
One of Barb’s greatest treasures were her grandkids. Her favorite memories were being able to host all of her grandchildren under one roof with her great nieces and nephews. Barb relished in planning day trips to Westport, Ocean Shores, Lake Sylvia, and would come home to make everyone’s favorite spaghetti.
Barbara is survived by her husband, James W. Cowan; daughter, Mickey Thurman of Hoquiam; sons, Corey Cowan of Auburn and Brett (Maureen) Cowan of Union; granddaughter Alissa Shay (Brian) and grandsons Ryan (Abby) Cowan, Brandon Cowan and Connor Cowan; sisters, Patricia Miller, Lois Enz, brothers Jim Shedd and Terry Shedd; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by five brothers: Loren, Jerry, Duane, Raymond and George Shedd, as well as her sisters Cindy Drolz, Linda McFadden and Bonnie Shedd (born in 1954 and passed away at 6 months.)
Anyone who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Barbara is asked to do so to the American Cancer Society or the 7th Street Theatre Association in Hoquiam.
Arrangements are under the care of Harrison Family Mortuary. Please take a moment to sign Barb’s book of memories.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge.
