Dorothy Marie (Terrell) Cowlen

Dorothy was born on November 30, 1932, and passed from this life on June 8, 2025, at the age of 92. She was the eldest child of John and Marjorie Terrell of Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from East Des Moines High School in January, 1951.

Dorothy moved to San Francisco shortly after graduation where she met Dan Cowlen. They returned to Des Moines to be married on August 23, 1959. They were both employed by the newly built Bishop’s Buffet in Merle Hay Mall.

Iowa weather was not agreeable to her native San Franciscan and after a few years of ice, snow, and humidity; they returned to the Bay area. Dorothy was employed by Marin Food of Byron, CA and later by Marin Color of San Rafael, CA. Work and sailing fostered many strong friendships that have endured over the years. They owned three, progressively larger sailboats, finally attaining their dream of the Dorothy Marie III, a 48 footer.

After retirement Dorothy and Danny returned to Des Moines to care for her mother. Danny preceded her in death on June 25, 2005, as well as her parents, brother Arnold Terrell, sister Ellen Terrell Conner, sisters-in law Patricia Terrell and Barbara Harvey, brother-in-law Fran Nalevanko, one nephew and one great nephew. She is survived by her sisters Maureen (Fran) Nalevanko and Linda (Lawrence) Klostermann of Des Moines, sisters-in-law Joan Harvey of Sausalito, CA and Linda (Ken) Harrison of Alameda, CA, brother-in-law Tom Conner, as well as eight nieces and nephews, sixteen great nieces and nephews, and three great-great nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

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