Melva Mary Cowman

After a life well-lived and well-loved, Melva Mary Cowman passed into the loving arms of Jesus on February 19, 2024.

Born on March 7, 1942, to Melvin and Elva Taylor in Hamilton, Ontario, Melva was the youngest of five children. Growing up, Melva loved riding the orange crate scooter her brothers made for her. Melva loved her brothers and sisters greatly and always looked for opportunities to be with them. After her father died, Melva often went fishing with her stepfather, Dan McCullough; after his death, Melva's mother married Lester Grant, her stepfather for 28 years and grandfather to her children. A bright student, Melva showed her intelligence early by skipping a grade in school; she was in the first class of the brand-new Hill Park High School in Hamilton, Ontario. In her teens, Melva moved around the corner from a young Dan Cowman, who she taught to drive and would later become her husband.

Melva and Dan were married on Friday, September 1, 1961. They honeymooned over the Labour Day Weekend so that Dan, who had just started as an electrician at a Steel Company, could return to work on Tuesday. In the early years of their marriage, Melva worked as an assistant in the Research Grants Office at McMaster University. Dan Jr. was born in 1963, and Melva returned to McMaster briefly before giving birth to their daughter, Wendy. Sometime later, Kirk was born, and over a decade later, the family was made perfect with the adoption of their youngest son, Chad.

Melva worked in various roles throughout her life, from tour guide at Dundurn Castle to assistant to the Dean and President at Canadian Bible College and Seminary, and finally, she was a mental health worker at the Salvation Army's Waterston Centre. Melva's passion, though, was always for children. Melva dedicated her life to teaching, caring for and helping children.

Melva volunteered and taught in her church's children's ministry all through her life. From kids' church to summer day camps, Melva could always be counted on to serve as a leader and teacher at Rosewood Park Alliance Church, where she was a member for forty years. Melva and Dan had an itinerant children's ministry called the Jellybean Club; they travelled to churches and camps throughout western Canada, teaching about Jesus using puppets. In the last decade of her life, she led over 200 children into a relationship with Jesus.

Dan and Melva's love for children led them to become foster parents in 1967, and they continued to care for children until 2000; over 150 children were welcomed into their home and became part of their family for as short as a few days and as long as three years. Some of those she fostered still call Melva to check in, often referring to her as mom. Melva frequently engaged with the parents of the children they cared for, helping them to learn healthy parenting practices. After moving to Saskatchewan, Melva also served as a trainer and support person for new foster parents.

After retirement, Melva and Dan bought an RV and joined the Good Sam's Club. Every summer, you could find them on the road, taking in the sights around Western Canada and travelling to Good Sam's Jamborees. The highlight of her week in the off-season was getting together with her Good Sam's friends for coffee. In recent years, Melva dedicated herself to making and giving away over 100 fidget blankets, a lap-size quilt that provides sensory and tactile stimulation for the restless hands of someone with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Melva lost two sisters-in-law to Alzheimer's, and this was her way of honouring them.

Melva loved to walk and ride her bike throughout the neighbourhood she lived in for 50 years; she often greeted and talked with those she passed by. On her walks and rides, Melva would pray for her family as well as those she met along the way. Health issues caused her to slow down over the past year, so Melva would sit on her front porch instead and pray for her family and the passersby.

Melva's greatest achievement and source of pride was her family; she was a dedicated and loving mom. There was nothing she would not do for her kids. When Dan, Wendy, Kirk and Chad brought home their special someone, she welcomed them as though they were her own daughters and son; Kathy, Larry and Britton will deeply miss her. Melva was known as Nana to her eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). She was active and involved in the lives of every one of them.

Melva was surrounded by her entire family, both virtually and in person when she passed away; she is survived by her husband Dan, her kids Dan & Kathy, Wendy & Larry, Kirk & Britton and Chad, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Melva is also survived by her sister Joy and sister-in-law Elly.

The family would like to thank the nurses and medical team of Ward 5A at the Regina General Hospital for going above and beyond to care for Melva and her family during her brief stay. No matter how busy the ward was, the nurses always stopped to answer questions and demonstrate their incredible compassion. Words cannot express our appreciation.

A celebration of life will take place on February 24, 2024, at 1:30 pm at Rosewood Park Alliance Church with her son, Rev. Kirk Cowman and grandson, Liam Cowman, officiating. The service will be available online at youtube.com/@RosewoodParkChurch. In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Rosewood Park Alliance Church's children's ministry in Melva's name.