Mildred A (Ross) Cowden

Mildred A. Ross Cowden, 87, of McDonald, passed away Monday, March 15, 2021, in her home after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on August 14, 1933, in Linden, North Strabane Twp., a daughter of John and Mildred Hall Ross.

Mildred graduated in 1951 with honors from Trinity High School.  After high school, she attended Penn Commercial, graduating with a certificate in accounting.  Mildred then accepted a position at Fort Pitt Bridge Works in Canonsburg.

In 1952, she won a contest to become Queen of Canonsburg’s Sesquicentennial and to go on a trip to Bermuda.  Mildred chose to take her mother along, providing many pleasant memories.

On September 1, 1953, she was married at Chartiers Hill United Presbyterian Church to Thomas W. Cowden, who survives. After their marriage, they started a dairy farm in Hickory.

They were members of the Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church where Mildred served as a deacon and also sponsored children in Haiti at Locroix New Testament Mission.  She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels as long as she was able.

She kept the books and records for the farm, typed insurance policies for Canonsburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company, where her husband had worked as an insurance agent and did clerical and customer service work for Agway in Eighty Four.  Mildred retired from Agway to babysit her grandchildren.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, playing cards, reading and for many years played canasta with her siblings and their spouses.

Mildred and her husband loved to travel when they were able to get away from the family farm.  They visited Ireland, Alaska, New Mexico, California, Georgia, and many other states.

Surviving in addition to her husband are: four children, Barbara A. Cowden, Thomas W. Cowden Jr., Bruce W. Cowden (Gayla) and Holly I. Bracall (John); seven grandchildren, Amber Henry (Brian), Patricia Cowden, Lauren Descutner (Sam), Kayla Bracall, Bradley Cowden, Mathew Bracall, and Lindsay Bracall, two great grandchildren, Juliana Cowden Quinn and Allie Henry; a brother, James T. Ross of Canonsburg; a sister, Janet L. Mozina of Maui, HI; a sister-in-law, Jane Cowden; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three sisters, Margaret Hootman, Pearl Neill, and Lois Jean King, and two brothers, John W. Ross and D. Robert Ross.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Thursday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Ave., Houston, PA 15342.  Additional visitation will be from 10 to 11:00 a.m. the time of service, Friday, March 19, 2021, in the Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 Main St., Hickory, PA 15340.  Interment will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Greater Washington County Food Bank, 909 National Pike West, Brownsville, PA 15417.

The family would like to thank the Hospice Care of Allegheny Health Network and the many other caregivers. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred A (Ross) Cowden, please visit our floral store.