Gail Burdsall Cowan

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Richard Cowan Jr., and parents Milford and Martha (Brendel) Burdsall.

She is survived by her daughter Tavel Cowan and grandsons, TJ and Tyler Bell; her son Richard Cowan III, his wife Kristin, and granddaughters Kate and Lauren; her brother Tom Burdsall and his wife Jeanne; in-laws Nancy and Carl Lundquist, Sallie and Tom Clote, Landt and Judy Cowan; and several nieces and nephews.

Gail was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on August 17, 1937, and was raised in Ohio and Clearwater, Fla. A fierce advocate of education, she attended Florida State University School of Nursing, the University of Maryland (masters) and University of Georgia (doctor of education).

Gail had a passion for service, both as a nurse and nurse educator for 50+ years and as a vibrant member of her community. Most recently, she was a board member of Memory Matters and a volunteer at Fort Frederica, International Seafarers Center, the Saint Simons Literary Guild, Women’s Co-Op and Brunswick Women’s Club.

Gail especially loved trying new recipes, PBS shows, gardening, local theater and arts, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends and pets.

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, July 7, at 11 am at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memory Matters, Bike Walk Golden Isles or your local PBS station.