Shirley Muirl Healey Cowser
1923 ~ 2008
Shirley Muirl Healey Cowser, 84, was called home to her Heavenly Father on May 8, 2008. A heavenly reunion with her family and loved ones will be her Mother's Day gift this year. Shirley was born on July 10, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the third of ten children of Richard Winn and Margretta Stephens Healey.
After living briefly in Bingham Canyon, Shirley grew up in Alpine, Utah. She graduated from American Fork High School in 1941. During World War II she transferred to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she met her future husband, Bill Cowser. After the war ended, Shirley married Bill in Salt Lake City in 1946. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in July, 1953.
Because of her husband's employment with Union Carbide, Shirley moved with him numerous times. They first lived briefly in West Virginia, then in Texas, and then in southern California. After Bill's assignment to the International Division of Union Carbide in 1961, Shirley and her family lived in Australia (twice), Sweden, Belgium, and Brazil. Shirley loved to travel and see for herself the many places she had read about. She willingly supported her husband's career, following him from country to country and making a comfortable home wherever they happened to be. Shirley loved to read from the time she was a child and she encouraged her children to be readers. She was an excellent cook and a wonderful hostess, and she opened her home for countless dinners for business associates, church members and missionaries. Shirley bravely adapted to new cultures and languages, serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wherever she lived. She had many opportunities for missionary work throughout her life, and she always loved sharing the gospel. Shirley loved music and had a beautiful voice; she was always singing. She eagerly took advantage of their time in Europe to expose her children to as many of the cultural offerings as possible. In 1978, Bill and Shirley were called to preside over the mission in Auckland, New Zealand. This was one of the choice experiences of their life. After their mission, they settled in Orem, Utah.
They later served another senior couples' mission to Recife, Brazil from 1991 to 1993.
Shirley is survived by her beloved and faithful husband of 61 years, Bill, and her children: Cathi and Val Stewart, Jane and Philip Bunker, Bruce and Teresa Cowser, Linda and Michael Patch, and Stephen and Kelly Cowser; 22 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters and two brothers, Veloy Stagg, Kaye Howell, and David and Dick Healey.
Preceded in death by three brothers, Reece, Steven, and Bob Healey, and two sisters, Elaine Pollock and Carol Sumsion.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Cherry Hill 9th Ward, 147 East 2000 South, Orem Utah. Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Sunday, May 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North in Orem and Monday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Alpine City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.walkerfamilymortuary.com