With loving and heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Linda Caroline (Gauthier) Cowen,to eternal life on May 30, 2014. Born November 3, 1936 in Summit, NJ, Linda was the daughter of Helen and Louis Gauthier. She attended school in Summit, NJ and was a graduate of Katharine Gibbs School, Montclair, NJ. Linda made Frederick her home for the past 54 years where she raised her family, worked in the Frederick school system and shared her retirement years with her devoted husband, Garth White, of 16 years. Of the many community groups Linda supported during her life in Frederick, she will be most vividly remembered for her generosity to the many needy students and their families with whom she crossed paths. Having worked for many years in the Guidance Departments of Gov. Thomas Johnson High and Monocacy Middle Schools, Linda knew which children were in most need. She quietly went about helping to improve their lives, making sure that no child went without proper clothes for a school dance, school performance or cold weather; and, she made sure any needy child had new school supplies for the start of school. One Christmas Eve, Linda asked her own children to share some of their Christmas gifts for a family who otherwise would have had nothing Christmas morning. She delivered the gifts anonymously to the family, imparting a lasting lesson on her daughters. Although these children will never know who helped brighten their days, her family will always remember the kindness and generosity of their mother, grandmother and wife. Linda was a member of Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church and generously supported her church community until she became ill in 2009. During the past five years, she was comforted by the faithful prayers of her church community and home Eucharistic visits from Edie. Linda leaves behind her three daughters and their families; Linda Cowen Duff and husband Dennis of Simsbury, CT; Kathleen Cowen Bessette and husband Steven of Simsbury, CT; and Caroline Cowen Treiberand husband Adam of Frederick, MD; her beloved grandchildren Lauren Dodington and husband James, Michael Duff, Andrew Bessette, Joshua Treiber, William Treiber and Kelsey Treiber; and, her special great grand daughter, Elsa Ryan Dodington. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow up. Linda's first husband of 22 years, Richard (Dick) Cowen, and beloved grandson, Ryan Richard Duff, predeceased her. The family wishes to thank the many special caregivers and devoted physicians who faithfully cared for Linda during her long illness. The family is tremendously grateful for the compassionate care of the nurses, care givers and social worker from the Hospice of Frederick County, who together with her cherished daily caregivers enabled her family to fulfill Linda's wishes to remain at home. All friends are welcome to join the family to celebrate Linda's life from 3-4:00 pm on June 2, 2014 at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 4pm on June 2, 2014 at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick, MD. Burial will immediately follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 S. Market Street, Frederick, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to help those less fortunate through the Ryan Duff Memorial Foundation, c/o Simsbury Bank, 981 Hopmeadow Street, P.O. Box 248, Simsbury, CT 06070, or the Frederick Rescue Mission, 419 West South Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Online condolences may be shared with the family atwww.keeneybasford.com.
