Obituary: Janet Whelen Cowie, 100, of North Branford, formerly Madison

Obituary courtesy of Guilford Funeral Home:

Janet Whelen Cowie, 100, of North Branford, CT died on August 15, 2023. Janet was born in New York, NY on January 18, 1923. She was the daughter of James C. Whelen and Helen Eder Whelen.

Janet spent her early childhood in Surrey, England outside of London. Her family returned to the United States in 1933 and lived in Rockville Centre, NY where she graduated from South Side High School. After World War II she married Paul F. Cowie, a veteran and POW, in 1946. She moved to Princeton, NJ with her husband while he completed his education at Princeton University. After graduation they lived for a short time in Wantagh, NY. Later they moved to Wilton, CT where they raised their four sons. They spent many enjoyable summers at Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield, CT. After her husband’s untimely death in 1978 Janet moved to Madison, CT where she was a member of Clinton Country Club. In recent years she lived at Evergreen Woods in North Branford.

Janet was very active throughout her life. She traveled extensively. She celebrated her 85th birthday in Morocco, sleeping in a tent in the Sahara and riding a camel. Janet enjoyed golf and played well into her 80’s. She did not stop driving until her 95th birthday.

Janet was predeceased by her sisters Doris Rutherford, Helen Koness and brother James T. Whelen. She is survived by her sons, Peter W. Cowie and Jennifer of Guilford, CT, Paul F. Cowie, Jr. and Lisa of Longmeadow, MA, Christopher B. Cowie and Susan of Palm Beach, FL and Brian J. Cowie and Heidi of Naples, FL. She also leaves behind five grandchildren Paul F. Cowie III, Timothy W. Cowie, Catherine B. Cowie, Ian C. Perry and Jason B. Perry.

The family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Woods, the aides from Elder Crew and the team from Hospice Home Care Plus for their wonderful care and support during Janet’s final days.

Burial will be private. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443 or The Salvation Army, 450 George Street, New Haven, CT 06534