MARYLOUISE COWAN

SOUTHPORT – Marylouise Cowan, 87, publisher of the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper since April 1987, died peacefully Saturday, March 28, 2009, at her Southport Island home, with her family around her. 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. After 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 Dec. 3, 1921, in Tulsa, Okla., the daughter of Donald and Louise Oak. Her father, a native of Caribou, was in the lumber business before moving to Tulsa, Okla. She was educated at Monte Cassino School, Holland Hall School, Central High School, Connecticut College, New London; University of Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art from the University of Tulsa. In 1998, she was honored as a distinguished alumna at the 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, Farnsworth Museum, 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 Portland Museum of Art and was a patron of Metropolitan Opera Co., New York City. She was a member of East Boothbay Methodist Church and a trustee of Southport Methodist Church. At Christmas time, 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 Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Okla., served on the board of Tulsa Town Hall and was on the board of Pacers, a volunteer organization of Philbrook Museum of Art. She was also a sustaining member of Ruskin Art Club, Tulsa, Okla., and involved in various other clubs and organizations, including Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet and Junior League of Tulsa. In 1962, she was named Volunteer of the Year by Tulsa Junior League. She was also inducted into Tulsa Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2000. Her Newagen home was affectionately known as “Fort Cowan Bunny Barracks,” appropriately named because of her love of rabbits. She bred Netherland dwarfs, 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 U.S. and was active in American Rabbit Breeders Association and a number of other rabbit clubs, serving as an officer in many of them. In 1986, she represented the U.S. 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 his wife, Karen and their children, Alfred Randolph “Al” Tandy III and Julia Nicole Tandy of Tulsa, Okla.; a daughter, Carol Tandy and her children, 2nd Lt. Michael D. Wright, Coby J. Wright and William “Will” H. Wright IV, all of Tulsa, Okla., Stephen Shafer and wife, Darci and children, Ellen Jane and Stephen E. Shafer Jr., of Oklahoma City, and Stacy Cowan-Finnerty and husband, Chris and son, Howard Cowan Carter, of Tulsa, Okla. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, at Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church with the Rev. Mary Jo Zimmerli officiating. For ease of parking, shuttle service will be provided from the YMCA parking lot to and from the church. A reception will be after at Marylouise Tandy Cowan Field House at the YMCA. Memorial donations may be made to Boothbay Region YMCA, attention Development Office, P.O. Box 500, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538; St. Andrews Hospital, attention 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. Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay.