Mary Loretta Cowdell, 94, of Palm Coast, Florida passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023.  She was born on February 1, 1929 in Queens Village, New York.  Mary was many things during the near-ninety-four years she spent here on Earth. She was a daughter, sister, cousin, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was the matriarch of a generation that includes seven children, 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Words insufficiently express the enormity of this loss for those who knew and loved her.

She was intelligent; she was kind; she was strong-willed, confident, and wise. Mary spent most mornings buried in a crosswords puzzle, cup of tea in hand. She rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy, won many hands of 500-Rummy, and taught everyone a new word, or two, while playing Upwords. She loved sweets; her favorite gift may have been cake, or orange slice gummies.

Family was most important to Mary. She created one unlike most others; one that loves deeply and without limitation, like she did.  Mary left this world surrounded by many who loved her, as they held her and sang to her, she mimed the snapping of a picture with her fingers – capturing the image of her family, the generation she created, embracing her and one another in the love that she taught them.

Mary was a true believer in the value of education; she never missed one day of school!

Mary is survived by her son, Michael Cowdell; daughter, Loretta Stagner (husband, Jay Stagner); son, Walter Cowdell; son, Paul Cowdell (wife, AnnMarie Cowdell); daughter, Mary Allar; daughter-in-law, Eileen Cowdell; son-in-law, George Stagner; grandchildren, Melissa, Timothy, Ryan, Christopher, Michael, Thomas, Kevin, Colin, Alicia, Keri, Matthew, Danielle, Michelle, Mary-Lynn, John, Jeffrey, and Janine; 15 great grandchildren; and other extended family and friends.  She is predeceased by her husband, Walter Cowdell; son, Matthew Cowdell; daughter, Deborah Stagner; sister, Loretta Schmitt; and brother, William Magner.

There will be a viewing on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 3pm-5pm at Lohman Funeral Home located at Lohman Funeral Home located at 220 Palm Coast Parkway SW, Palm Coast, Florida 32137.  Interment will take place privately at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, Mary's family asks that you make a donation in her honor to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library or the American Heart Association.