Mary Ann Cowley
October 13, 1986 – August 27, 2025
Binesiibeg
Shishiib Doodem
In the early hours of August 27, 2025, our Beautiful Dear Sister, Aunt, and Friend began her journey to the spirit world with her family and friends by her side at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.
Mary was born in Kenora, Ontario on October 13, 1986, to Paul Cowley Sr. and Irene Cowley.
Mary Ann as everyone knew her was a beautiful, young, ambitious woman with so much spirit and an extraordinary outlook on life. She lived in her home which she was proud of in Animakee Wa Zhing #37. Mary’s greatest past-time and passion was ice-fishing. During the winter months you could find her out on the lake enjoying the outdoors, either by herself or with her family and friends. She also had many hobbies such as being at home and watching her favourite TV shows and listening to all types of genres of music. In recent years she had even taken up sewing and beading especially when offered by community events. Often times, you could find her sitting outside her home enjoying the company of her little hummingbird friends who always returned to her home every year.
Mary Ann was ambitious and a bright youthful woman which all began when she attended school at BaiBomBeh School where she graduated high school and was the valedictorian for her graduating class. After high school, she attended George Brown College where she received a Social Work Diploma and found love for the city of Toronto, Ontario. Mary Ann was an avid traveller, however, her heart always returned to Toronto. While living in Toronto, she gained a love for the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs, and the Blue Jays. When she returned home, she later went back to college and received a Personal Support Work Diploma from Confederation College. In the last 10 years, she was employed with her First Nation as the Housing Manager/Coordinator, a job in which she took so much pride in.
Mary Ann is being welcomed with open arms in the spirit world by her parents Paul Cowley Sr. and Irene Cowley; Paternal Grandparents Jimmie and Sarah Cowley; Maternal Grandparents, Peterson and Evelyn “Coco” Nash; Sisters Jenniefer Cameron, Martina Ola, and Priscilla Tom; Brother Paul “Benji” Cowley Jr.; Aunts Eva Nash, Stella Keast, Adeline Roy, Dorothy Nash, Lauretta “Quay”, Marlene, and Edel Cowley. Uncles Jerry, Michael, Walter “Bobo” Cowley. Cousins, Michael Roy; Shawna & Holly Keast; Angela Nash, and many others too many to name.
Mary Ann is survived by her brothers Tim Cameron (Roberta), Omar Cameron (Tammy); Sister Shannon Cowley (Daniel), and her baby sister Samantha Cowley. Nieces and nephews, Joe (Stacey), Jeffrey, Randy (Ashley), and Eric Mandamin; Sarain and Robert Scott; Shaylynn Hunter and Peyton White; Mackenzie, Kelsi, and Sidney Blackhawk. Great Nieces and Nephews, Jennifer, Jasmine, and Connor Mandamin; Donald, Stedman, and Ciao. Cousins, Estelle “ChiChi”, Joanna, Darren, Veronica, and James Nash; Kristol and Debbie Bird; Merrit Cowley, Jamie Cowley, Alberta Cowley; Oscar Cowley; Wendell and Denise Tom. Her best friends, Misty Blackhawk, Karrah Desrosiers, Michelle Oshie, Calvin Oshie, and James Mandamin, and also, by many extended family and friends too numerous to name.
The family of Mary would like to thank the Hospital Staff and especially the nurses at the Fort Frances, Kenora, and Thunder Bay Hospital; Animakee Wa Zhing #37, AAFS Prevention for AWZ, and Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre.
A wake service will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Mary’s Home at 215 Cameron Road in Animakee Wa Zhing #37. Traditional Funeral Services will be held September 1, 2025 at her residence at 215 Cameron Road in Animakee Wa Zhing #37 and Maajaa’iwewin will be conducted by Mide’kiwenzie from Kieshgitabaaning and his helpers.
