Cloudy, 32° F
Susan (Susie) Ann Marie Cowles (Montoya) was born April 23, 1948, to Emiliano and Celza (Sally) Montoya in Powell. She was the oldest of three children. Susie was loving and caring to her little sister Patricia (Patsy) and little, but much taller, brother, Micheal (Mikey).
In Susie’s early years, she climbed the ranks in the Girl Scouts of America, with her mother, Sally, as a Girl Scout leader. Susie was a 1966 graduate of Powell High School, where she was part of the school’s concert band, the marching band (as a majorette), and was also captain of the Aquatic Team.
Being active and outdoors was a passion. From her first job as a gate attendant at Yellowstone’s East Entrance to her love of skiing, hiking, and simply being outdoors, Susie shared her appreciation with family and friends. She harbored creative talents that showed in her storytelling, Halloween costumes for herself and her daughters, school projects, and the parties she hosted.
She parlayed a successful career in retail management into a second 20-year career as an instructor of marketing and merchandising for Baldy View Regional Occupational Program.
On June 3, 1997, Susie married Henry J. Cowles, and they settled in Ontario, Canada, with their two dachshunds, Tinkerbell and Schnitzel. Although Tinkerbell passed away many years ago, a very loyal Schnitzel refused to leave Susie’s side.
Susie passed away on April 22, 2019, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was preceded in death by her father and sister.
She leaves behind her husband Henry, mother Sally, brother Mikey, sister-in-law Sarah, two daughters (Jody and Tracy), four grandchildren, and 2 1/2 great-grandchildren. We will miss her beautiful smile and holding her in our arms.
