Life Story for Jocelyn Cowles
Jocelyn is a woman of strength, intelligence, compassion, service, and testimony. She possessed the unique gift of making others feel loved, welcomed, and important. She made many good friends that she kept in touch with throughout her life. She will be remembered for her ability to tell humorous anecdotes that kept friends and family entertained no matter how many times they heard them. Jocelyn enjoyed life and had many interests. These were a few of her favorite things: chocolate, playing games, telling stories, root beer, traveling, family time, chocolate, lunches with friends, musical theater, pink, nursery children, serving others, morning bike rides, her Cecile Brunner climbing rose bush, family history, chocolate, photographs, the San Diego temple, visitors, holiday dinners, puzzles, chocolate, lifelong learning, her grandchildren, hosting neighborhood gatherings, family reunions, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, hot fudge sundaes, her great-grandchildren, having a plan, enjoying a laugh with others, birthday cards and chocolate.
Jocelyn was born December 23, 1926. Though she experienced times of difficulty as she grew up, including the divorce of her parents, she wrote of happy times spent playing with friends and siblings and fun visits to her grandparents in Logan during the summers. At the age of 20, she married Gordon Dee Cowles on April 18, 1947. On her 22nd birthday, she gave birth to her first of four daughters, Suzanne Marie. In 1951, Eileen Donna, the second daughter, was born, once again on her birthday! (Twenty years later, her first granddaughter would also join the birthday throng on December 23, 1971). Joanne Louise joined the family in 1954, and Beverly Jean completed the family in 1956. She said of being a mother “I especially enjoyed being the mother of four special daughters who were loving, responsible, obedient, and spiritual.” Though her college education was obtained piecemeal to allow for rearing her family, Jocelyn persevered and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She and Gordon encouraged their daughters and their progeny to pursue higher education. Jocelyn and Gordon were sealed in the San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997 just before their 50th wedding anniversary.
Jocelyn was a grandmother for more than half of her life—a role she enjoyed and filled admirably as the “game grandma.” She had a ready smile and a listening ear. She was attentive and liked to hear the thoughts and activities of her grandchildren. She played games, went on outings, hosted reunions, and had extended visits with her grandchildren who lived far away. She had 15 grandchildren and, so far, 35 great-grandchildren.
Throughout her life, she put God and Jesus Christ first. And her life was a testament to her beliefs. She had many callings, but particularly enjoyed serving as nursery leader for 24 years. She knew the importance of helping the nursery children feel of God’s love and develop a love for Jesus Christ through song and story. In a letter to one of her great-grandchildren she wrote “The most important part of my life is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been a wonderful guide to a happy, healthy, positive life throughout my childhood, youth, young adult, adult and now senior years.”
Having filled the measure of her mortal creation, Jocelyn passed into the next life on March 21, 2019. We love you Mother, Grandma, Great-grandma, and friend.
Jocelyn was born December 23, 1926. Though she experienced times of difficulty as she grew up, including the divorce of her parents, she wrote of happy times spent playing with friends and siblings and fun visits to her grandparents in Logan during the summers. At the age of 20, she married Gordon Dee Cowles on April 18, 1947. On her 22nd birthday, she gave birth to her first of four daughters, Suzanne Marie. In 1951, Eileen Donna, the second daughter, was born, once again on her birthday! (Twenty years later, her first granddaughter would also join the birthday throng on December 23, 1971). Joanne Louise joined the family in 1954, and Beverly Jean completed the family in 1956. She said of being a mother “I especially enjoyed being the mother of four special daughters who were loving, responsible, obedient, and spiritual.” Though her college education was obtained piecemeal to allow for rearing her family, Jocelyn persevered and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She and Gordon encouraged their daughters and their progeny to pursue higher education. Jocelyn and Gordon were sealed in the San Diego Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997 just before their 50th wedding anniversary.
Jocelyn was a grandmother for more than half of her life—a role she enjoyed and filled admirably as the “game grandma.” She had a ready smile and a listening ear. She was attentive and liked to hear the thoughts and activities of her grandchildren. She played games, went on outings, hosted reunions, and had extended visits with her grandchildren who lived far away. She had 15 grandchildren and, so far, 35 great-grandchildren.
Throughout her life, she put God and Jesus Christ first. And her life was a testament to her beliefs. She had many callings, but particularly enjoyed serving as nursery leader for 24 years. She knew the importance of helping the nursery children feel of God’s love and develop a love for Jesus Christ through song and story. In a letter to one of her great-grandchildren she wrote “The most important part of my life is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been a wonderful guide to a happy, healthy, positive life throughout my childhood, youth, young adult, adult and now senior years.”
Having filled the measure of her mortal creation, Jocelyn passed into the next life on March 21, 2019. We love you Mother, Grandma, Great-grandma, and friend.