Louise Cowart

GUNTERSVILLE, ALA.- It is with great sadness that the family of Louise Cowart announces her passing on Saturday, July 8, 2017. She had visited many of her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the weeks before she died peacefully in her home in Madison, Wis. Louise was born on Jan. 13, 1930 in Jersey City, N.J. She spent her childhood in the New Jersey towns of Nutley and Belleville, with her parents, Louis and Grace Vaccarella, her sister, Grace (Elmer) Stanton and her brother, Vincent (Dolores). After graduating from Belleville High School in 1947, Louise joined a convent with the intention of becoming a nun. The Lord had other plans, however, and she left after a year to join the U.S. Navy. It was at the naval base in Memphis that she met and married Elwood Cowart in 1951. After many years as the wife of a naval aviator and countless moves up and down the east coast, the family settled for good in Virginia Beach, Va. When her children were grown, Louise returned to school, completed her degree in computer science and began a career in banking IT at the age of 52. In addition to her work, Louise’s many hobbies included working for the Right to Life group at her church, promoting continuing education for seniors, painting, and traveling with her family. She was instrumental in founding the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. In 2006, Louise moved to Guntersville and quickly fell in love with her new home. She joined St. William Catholic Church and spent many happy hours working with the Respect for Life Ministry, preparing for the Seafood Festival and volunteering in other ways. She was active in the Guntersville chapter of RSVP and established the monthly lunch outing enjoyed by so many people.  Louise is survived by five children, Blane (Julie) of Charleston, S.C., Nancy (Greg) Bange of Madison, Wis., Patricia (Brian) Coughlan of Wilmington, N.C., Kathleen Felker of Huntsville, Ala., and Paul of Boise, Idaho; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Coughlan of New York, N.Y., Michelle (Justin) Piasecki of Los Angeles, Calif., Stephanie (Andrew) Felker-Koehler of Huntsville, Ala., Michael Felker of Los Angeles, Calif., Walker Coughlan of Greensboro, N.C., Sarah Cowart of Charleston, S.C., Andrew Bange of Boston, Mass., and Matthew Bange of Madison, Wis., and two great-grandchildren, Gillian and Juniper McCulley of Huntsville, Ala. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister and brother and their spouses. Her family and beloved dog, Molly, were the joy of her life and the source of much pride and delight. She will be sorely missed by all of them.  A Memorial Mass for Louise will be held at ST. WILLIAM CATHOLIC CHURCH, 929 Gunter Ave, Guntersville, Ala., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, with a luncheon to follow at 12 noon, with Fr. Tim Pfander presiding. Visitation with the family will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. William Building Fund via the church website or at 929 Guntersville Ave.