Obituary of Muriel Helen Cowan
Suddenly entered into rest at her home in Brockville on Sunday September 2nd, 2018. Muriel (Chamberlin) Cowan of Brockville aged 83 years. Beloved wife of the late Lawrence Cowan and Michael Reen. Loving mother of Brock (Rita Gardner) of Ottawa, Laurie (Michael Joudrey) of Belleville and Greg (Joanne MacDonald) of Brockville; and step mother of Janet Wood (David) of Brockville. Cherished grandmother of Ryan, Adrienne, Michelle, Tim, Eric, Sam and Grace; and great-grandmother to Evan, Daniel, Teri, Hunter and Nora. Dear sister of Vivian Dewar, Marilyn Charron (Rene), Ruth Nurse, Linda Robar and the late Marjorie Chamberlin. Also missed by Aunt Alena Forbes (John), in-laws Audrey Cowan and Joyce Rigutto (Mario) and many nieces, nephews and special neighbours Terry and Doug Johnston.
Muriel was born to Arthur and Alma Chamberlin near Poltimore Quebec. She began school there and at age 13 she moved to Ontario and boarded with family for a time while she continued her education. Once she left school, Muriel ventured to Tillsonburg to pick tobacco, and worked at the Children’s Village in Ottawa. In 1955, Muriel moved to Brockville to begin work at the Stetson Hat Factory. Here she would meet Lawrence, and they would marry in 1957. They raised 3 children - Brock, Laurie and Greg – while Lawrence worked for the family dairy business in Brockville and Smiths Falls. After Lawrence’s death, Muriel and family moved back to Brockville where she took a job at Sterling Cleaners. In 1987, Muriel married Mike Reen and, once they had both retired, they fulfilled Muriel’s dream of visiting Australia among many other destinations. They visited New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji and places in Europe. She especially liked visiting Mike’s relatives in Holland. Mike passed away in 2011. Muriel lived on Comstock Crescent for 40 years until her death.
Family and friends will be received at the Barclay Funeral Home, 137 Pearl St. E., Brockville, on Friday September 7th, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service which will be celebrated in the Chapel at 1 p.m. In memory of Muriel, who had a lifelong interest in helping kids and adults with disabilities, donations to the Developmental Services of Leeds and Grenville would be greatly appreciated. Messages of condolence may be sent online at www.barclayfuneralhome.com
