Jane Wheeler Cowley, 78, of Boothbay Harbor, died Dec. 31 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor after a brief illness.
Jane was born March 30, 1931 in Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y., the daughter of Herbert and Mary Ostrowski Wheeler. At a young age her family moved to New Britain, Conn., where she grew up, attending New Britain High School, class of 1948, and Central Connecticut State University, graduating in 1951 with an associate science degree.
She married Arnold P. Cowley of Edgecomb Dec. 27, 1950, and they moved to Lawton, Okla. from 1951 to 1953 while he served in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, they moved to Boothbay Harbor where they made their life together.
Jane began her career with the Harold W. Bishop Insurance Agency in Boothbay Harbor; from 1968 to 1971 she worked at the National Marine Fisheries Service in the Harbor; and then worked at Veterans Administration in Togus until 1978. She joined B.I.W. in Bath for a year as a personnel clerk, before becoming a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy in Bath, where she was a management analyst for the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, retiring in 1991.
Active in her community during her retirement, she was a communicant of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Boothbay Harbor, where she served on the Parish Council, and for many years operated the church store. She also served on the board of trustees of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, and volunteered at the library’s bookstore, and at the Boothbay Harbor Historical Society.
Jane was predeceased by her husband Arnold in 1999 after 49 years of marriage.
Survivors include several nephews, a niece and several out of state cousins.
Friends are invited to visit 4-6 p.m., Mon., Jan. 4 at the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay. Mass of Christian burial 11 a.m., Tues., Jan. 5 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Boothbay Harbor, with Rev. Fred Morse as the Celebrant. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Boothbay.
Friends are encouraged to make memorial donations in Jane’s memory to the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
Condolences may be sent to simmons-harrington-hall@myfairpoint.net.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay.
