Elizabeth Cowden

Elizabeth “Betsy” Cowden, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on November 17, 2022 at St. Anthony North hospital in Westminster, Colorado. She was born to Elizabeth Ryan (nee Clancy) and Edmund Ryan on May 17, 1939 in London, England, and spent her childhood in Dublin, Ireland before her family immigrated to the United States in 1953.

Betsy lived a long, rich life that saw her follow 22 years of living in New York City with a cross-country relocation to Grand Junction, Colorado, where she would reside until moving across the Rockies to Thornton, Colorado in 2018 to be nearer to her beloved grandchildren. She helped establish Cowden Associates Advertising in Grand Junction, where she and husband James would work together for over two decades. Her interests were many and varied, often seeing her at a little league game in the morning, brunch with friends in the afternoon, and a trip to the theatre in the evening—all on the same day. She was a devout member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Northglenn and recently celebrated nearly 55 years of sobriety through her proud association with Alcoholics Anonymous, which saw her serve as sponsor to countless individuals seeking sobriety over the years.

She was married to James Harp Cowden from 1969 until his passing in 1998, and gave birth to two children, Richard and Deirdre (both survive). She had four grandchildren she loved beyond measure—Molly, Harper, Liam, and Finn—and one great-granddaughter, Margo. She also loved her role as mother-in-law to Jessica Cowden and Bryan Templeton.

A rosary will be said at 10:30 on December 9, 2022 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11385 Grant Dr., Northglenn, Colorado 80233, followed by a funeral mass starting promptly at 10:55, per Betsy’s request. In keeping with Irish tradition, the family will then welcome guests to their home for a wake and celebration of life immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association .