Obituary of Helen Margaret Cowan

Brewer- Helen M. (Graham) Cowan, 92, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.  She was born November 29, 1930, in Houlton, ME, the daughter of Perley R. and Annie T. (Kirlin) Graham.  Helen grew up in Houlton and was a 1948 graduate of Houlton High School.  She met the love of her life, James E. Cowan, while attending Ricker College in Houlton.  They married in July of 1950 and moved back to Jimmy’s hometown of Brewer where they began their family together.

After many years of being a full-time mother, Helen went to work in the family business when her husband opened the very first fully automated self-service gas station in the State of Maine at Cowan’s Service Station.  She also spent time working for the Orrington School System as a substitute teacher.  Later in life, she completed training as a medical unit secretary and worked in the Emergency Room at Eastern Maine Medical Center until her retirement.

Helen and Jimmy enjoyed spending time traveling, vacationing in Florida, and at their camp on Green Lake.  Family was most important to them, and they particularly looked forward to large family gatherings on the Fourth of July.

She is survived by her six children, Peter and wife Sharon, of Fort Pierce, FL, Timothy and wife, Marguerite of Bangor, Barbara Youngs and husband Scott of Orrington, Phillip and wife Candace of Eddington, Mark and wife Kimberley of Pulaski, NY, and Richard and wife Dawn of Bangor; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, with 2 more expected this summer.  Helen also leaves behind a very special cousin, Evelyn Delong.  She was predeceased by her husband, James E. Cowan; parents Perley and Annie Graham; foster brother Joseph Gilbert Bulley.

The family thanks the caring staff of Eastside Center for Health and Rehabilitation, New England Home Health Care (especially Diane McNamara), and Beacon Hospice.

Helen was a faithful communicant of St. Paul the Apostle Parish.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 A.M, Thursday, February 16, 2023, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 531 North Main St., Brewer.  The family invites relatives and friends to attend a gathering immediately following Mass in the church hall.  A spring burial is planned 11 A.M., Monday, May 1, 2023, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor.  

Those who wish to donate in her memory can contribute to St. Vincent de Paul Fuel Fund for those in need.   Checks made payable to St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 207 York Street, Bangor, ME, 04401. Memo: “St. Vincent de Paul Fuel Fund”.

Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer.  Messages and memories may be shared with her family at kileyandfoley.com