Wynette C. Cowen

May, 1923 to October, 2018

91 year resident of Pacific Grove

Wynette (Walker) Cowen, born in San Jose, CA in May, 1923, passed away on October 13, 2018. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Howard Cowen, for over 75 years. He preceded her in death just one month ago.

Wynette attended and graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1941. While at PGHS she was involved in numerous activities, clubs and events. She was named an All Star in hockey, soccer, baseball and basketball and was voted Best Girl Athlete her junior and senior years. She worked on the school newspaper and yearbook, was on the student body executive board, and was ticket sales manager and a member of the “Lucky 13” and “BOBS” clubs.

Wynette was a Brownie and Girl Scout while growing up and a leader as an adult. She was a Past Worthy Advisor of the Monterey Peninsula Order of Rainbow Girls, and was a Beta Sigma Phi sorority member for over 20 years. She worked at the Lover’s Point concessions, as an usherette at the Grove Theatre and as a Clerk and Manager at the Presidio of Monterey Commissary. Wynette was a teacher’s aide with the PG Unified School District and worked as a Clerk at the PG Tennis Shop. She and Howard were managers of Walker’s Campground in Big Sur for ten years.

Wynette was President of the Robert Down, PG Middle School and PGHS PTAs. She was treasurer for the PGUSD Butterfly Bazaar for over 20 years. She was President of the PG Tennis Club and director of numerous tournaments. She was a founding and life time member of the PGHS Alumni Assoc. and Breakers Club. She was an active board member of the Alumni Assoc. until recently. She was the secretary/treasurer of the PGHS Stadium Fund Committee, which was formed to add lights and bleachers for the new high school in 1962. The project was completed in 1967.

Wynette volunteered in numerous other capacities over the years including as a Library Aide for the PGUSD, for the Feast of Lanterns, PG Pride, and the Northern California Senior Tennis Association. She received numerous awards for her contributions to these and other organizations and events over the years.

Wynette was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; her sons, Robert (Bob) and Gary Cowen; her parents, Elbert and Carol Walker; her sister, Roberta Bodine, and her brother, George Walker. She is survived by her children; Ron Cowen (Salinas), Barbara Seubert (Windsor), Ken Cowen (Pacific Grove) and Kathy Cowen (Lakewood, CO); daughter-in-law, Patti Cowen (Castroville); nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many extended family members.

Donations in Wynette’s memory are suggested to: the PGHS Alumni Assoc., P. O. Box 51396, P. G., 93950; the PGHS Breakers Club, 615 Sunset, P. G., 93950; the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 21 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey, 93940; the Hospice Foundation-Trees of Life in Wynette’s and/or Howard’s name(s), 80 Garden Ct., Suite 201, Monterey, 93940.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary to sign Wynette’s guest book and leave messages for her family.