Marylouise Cowan, 87, of Southport Island, publisher of the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper since of April of 1987, died peacefully at her home with her family around her on March 28.
A summer resident of Sprucewold since childhood, she moved to the region permanently in 1979 when her late husband, Howard Cowan, whom she married in 1973, purchased the two newspapers. Her first husband, Alfred Randolph “Bill” Tandy, died in 1971.
Following Mr. Cowan’s death, she assumed the duties of publisher, a role which continued until her death. She worked hard to improve the papers in every way possible, and was rewarded by watching them become consistent award-winners in Maine and New England competition, especially in the General Excellence category. While she considered assuming the duties of publisher as a major challenge, what could be considered her greatest accomplishment was creating a life of service, good humor, style and grace.
She was born in Tulsa, Okla., Dec. 3, 1921, the daughter of Donald and Louise Oak. She was educated at Monte Cassino School, Holland Hall School, Central High School, Connecticut College in New London, the University of Texas and earned a BA degree in art from the University of Tulsa. In 1998 she was honored as a distinguished alumna at University of Tulsa. She was presented with the Connecticut College Medal in 1999 in recognition of her achievements and volunteer activities.
A lifelong volunteer, she was well known for her philanthropic support of local groups and organizations and was actively involved on many boards, including the Boothbay Region YMCA, Bigelow Laboratory, St. Andrews Hospital, Boothbay Region Land Trust, Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund, The Morris Farm, and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The field house at the YMCA is named in her honor in appreciation of her major gift, making it possible for the facility to offer a first-in-the-community indoor track, tennis courts, supplemental basketball courts, etc.
Her philanthropy extended far beyond the Boothbay Region. An art lover all of her of life, the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland has an entire floor named in her honor, displaying the art works of various members of the Wyeth family. She served on the Committee of One Hundred at the Portland Museum of Art and was a Patron of the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City.
She was a member of the East Boothbay Methodist Church and a trustee of the Southport Methodist Church.
At Christmastime, she looked forward to illuminating the Southport Church and many other buildings in the community.
Her hobbies included collecting art and antiques, gardening, raising rabbits and traveling around the world.
Before moving to Maine, she was active in the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, served on the board of the Tulsa Town Hall, and was on the board of the Pacers, a volunteer organization of the Philbrook Museum of Art. She was also a sustaining member of the Ruskin Art Club in Tulsa and involved in various other clubs and organizations including the Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet, and the Junior League of Tulsa. In 1962 she was named Volunteer of the Year by the Tulsa Junior League. She was also inducted into the Tulsa Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2000.
Her Newagen home was affectionately known as the Fort Cowan Bunny Barracks, appropriately named because of her love of rabbits. She bred Netherland Dwarfs and Holland Lops, as well as other breeds on occasion, and had earned a national reputation as a rabbit breeder. She was often called the Rabbit Lady. She frequently entered her rabbits in shows throughout the United States and was active in the American Rabbit Breeders Association and a number of other rabbit clubs, serving as an officer in many of them. In 1986 she represented the United States at an international conference in East Germany and in 1994 was named Maine State Rabbit Person of the Year.
In addition to her rabbits, she was also known for her beautiful gardens, and was often featured in national magazines.
She was honored in 2003 by being chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Windjammer Days parade, and by Seaside Lodge as one of Seven Ladies at the Table for her community service.
Her family includes a son, Alfred Randolph “Rant” Tandy, Jr. and wife Karen and their children, Alfred Randolph “Al” Tandy III and Julia Nicole Tandy of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter, Carol Tandy and her children, 2nd Lieutenant Michael D. Wright, Coby J. Wright, and William “Will” H. Wright IV of Tulsa; Stephen Shafer and wife Darci and children, Ellen Jane and Stephen E. Shafer, Jr. Oklahoma City; and Stacy Cowan-Finnerty and husband Chris and son, Howard Cowan Carter of Tulsa.
Memorial service 10 a.m., Mon., April 13 at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church with Rev. Mary Jo Zimmerli officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Boothbay Region YMCA, Attn: Development Office, P.O. Box 500, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538; St. Andrews Hospital, Attn: Donations, 6 St. Andrew’s Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538; Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, P.O. Box 475, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538; or a charity of one’s choice.
For ease of parking, shuttle service will be provided from YMCA parking lot to and from the church. A reception will follow at the YMCA in the Marylouise Tandy Cowan Field House.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay.
