Mary R. Cowles

Mary R. Cowles, loving wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma

Olean- Mary R. Cowles of Olean, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Olean General Hospital after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Olean on September 8, 1954, the daughter of the late Louis and Monajean Gagliardo. On June 28, 1975, at St. Mary’s Church in Olean, she married George W. Cowles Jr, who survives.

Mary graduated from Olean High School in 1972. She became a teacher’s aide for over 35 years at Washington West Elementary and Olean Intermediate School. She loved to cook and do seasonal baking for her family while she listened to country music. As a long-time member, she enjoyed going to St. Mary’s Church. Her favorite pastimes were spending time with her family, doing diamond art, and deer spotting with her husband.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, George Jr.; her sons, George (Ginalyn) Cowles III and Joe (Michelle) Cowles; grandchildren, George Cowles IV, Nikcolas (Abriana) Cowles, Logan (Mary) Cowles, and Bryanne Cowles; great-grandchildren, Michael, Sophia, Terra, and Nathan Cowles; siblings, Saverio, Kathy, and Louie; and special friends, Lori Everetts and Karen Woodring.

She was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Monajean; son, Matthew Cowles; a sister, Cindy Beard; and brother-in-law, Larry McFall.

Friends will be received at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean, on Sunday (January 26, 2025) from 12 pm to 2 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm. A funeral service will be held Tuesday (January 28, 2025) at 10 am in the funeral home, with burial to follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to the SPCA https://spcacattco.org/donate/

Online condolences may be expressed at guentherfh.com.