Ms Cynthia "Cindy" Ann Cowan

Cynthia (Cindy) Ann Cowan, 47, of Toronto passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25, 2013 after a long and brave battle with Ovarian cancer.

Loving daughter of Sarah Ann and Wayne Philip Cowan, Cindy’s calling to the social services came at an early age as did her meteoric rise to the positions of Executive Director at Nellie’s, and Interim Place where she passionately advocated to improve the lives of abused and marginalized women in the city. In 2011, Cindy was recognized by the City of Toronto with the Constance E. Hamilton Award on the Status of Women for her tireless and devoted work in this area.

Not quite one year ago, Cindy celebrated her birthday with a “47, still revellin’ and avoiding heaven” party after almost two years as an Ovarian cancer survivor. Maintaining her joie de vivre despite a grim prognosis, she widened her advocacy efforts to bring attention to women’s cancers, as well as Dying With Dignity, and has helped raised both awareness and significant sums of education, research and support dollars. Cindy, oft quoted in the media as an expert in her field once said, “I feel what I do does make a difference.” She was quite right. Sadly, Cindy will not see her 48th birthday. Cindy greeted everyone; family and strangers alike with, “Hello my Friend!” Now we must say goodbye daughter, goodbye sister, goodbye aunt, goodbye Friend!

Cindy will be painfully missed by her parents, her partner, Rishika Williams, her brother and sister, Christopher and Jennifer, sister-in-law Veronica, and most especially by “her boys,” nephews Avery, Holden and Oliver to whom she was “crazy-fun Auntie Cindy!” Cindy leaves behind a group of very close friends, a second family of sorts, in her “Sisters,” especially Sky. You are the women and friends who stuck by her, supported her through thick and thin over the last few decades and right up to her final days as guardian angels at her bed-side. You are too many to mention, but please know that the family appreciates that you were an integral part of her life. We would also like to thank the many wonderful Doctors, researchers and support staff at Princess Margaret Hospital that were dedicated to helping keep Cindy with us as long as possible. It would be re-miss not to mention Cindy’s feline family: Juniper Moon, Elijah River, and Grover Benjamin. She had an affinity for taking the vulnerable under her wing whether it be a cat, or a fellow human being. "Meowing" a final send-off.

In the spirit of Cindy’s efforts to carry on and eradicate this horrible disease, donations to Ovarian Cancer Canada, or to Sistering, or Amnesty International, in lieu of flowers would be appreciated, and/or, also in keeping with Cindy’s spirit, if you are unable to make a financial donation, kindly “pay-it-forward” with a good deed in her memory.

A private family service has already taken place.

As you know, Cindy was not traditional in any way; she was adamant that she did not want a traditional funeral. She wrote out very specific instructions for her partner Rishika and her family to follow about what she did want.

Thus, we invite you to join us on Saturday, June 1 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the 519 Community Centre for Cindy’s Celebration of Life ceremony. The first part of the ceremony will be more formal with a short service. Family members will speak and Rishika will read a letter Cindy wrote to you all. Her ashes will be present.

For the rest of the time, those who wish to share favourite memories can do so. Cindy hoped we would speak to the future as much as possible. How will you carry on her memory? Are you interested in any of her many causes and can take one on? Is there something she inspired you to do?

Cindy loved kids and kids are welcome.

Her obituary will be published in today's Toronto Star and Globe and Mail.