Eustis Cowardin

The Reverend Eustis Barber Cowardin, 79, of Jamestown, ND died Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND surrounded by her family. She was born January 3, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA. Her parents were the late William Wyatt Barber Jr. and Margaret Hazelhurst Patton. Eustis grew up in Southborough, MA and attended Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT. She graduated with a BA from Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. Eustis married Lewis Mileston Cowardin on June 23, 1956 in Southborough, MA.

She worked for Ford Motor Co. in Natick, MA prior to joining her husband at Schofield Barracks in the Territory of Hawaii, where she worked at Honolulu Book Shops. She did home child care and typing for students in New York and Massachusetts, while her husband was in graduate school. After moving to Jamestown in 1965, she worked as a lunchroom supervisor at Gussner School for 2 years.

She returned to school earning her LPN from ND State School of Science with additional graduate credits in Counseling and Family Development from NDSU. Following that, Eustis worked as a CNA and then LPN, primarily in Home Health and Hospice, at Jamestown Hospital.

Eustis was a faithful volunteer, helping to establish a youth hockey program and acting as president of the Jamestown Hockey Booster Club. She served for 14 years, including as president on the Anne Carlsen Center Auxiliary (Crippled Children’s School) where she tutored for 5 years as well. Eustis was a PTA member, Cub Scout Leader, and a Brownie Leader.

Eustis was a long time member of Grace Episcopal Church culminating in her ordination to the deaconate in 1995 and priesthood in 1999. She volunteered extensively for over 40 years at Grace Church including serving on the Vestry, in the Women of Grace, and in 2 Guilds. Eustis’s devotion to service and faith was exemplified in her hospice and pastoral work, where she continued to volunteer after retirement. Her many interests included family, volunteering, hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, knitting and watching her grandchildren play hockey.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and brother, William Wyatt Barber III (Weesie) of Concord, MA. Eustis is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Lewis Mileston Cowardin and their four children Dr. William Lewis Cowardin (Dr. Pam Leonard), Mr. Theodore Phillip Cowardin, Mr. John Pendleton Cowardin (Michelle), and Dr. Nancy Lewis Altena, as well as grandchildren Kathryn Rae Cowardin, David Lewis Cowardin, and Braden Eric Altena.

Memorials can be made to Grace Episcopal Church, JRMC Hospice, The American Cancer Society, or charity of choice.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at Grace Episcopal Church, Jamestown.

Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 10, 2014 at Grace Episcopal Church, Jamestown.

Visitation: None Scheduled. Arrangements are with Williams-Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND.

Interment: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown.

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