Gail Cowen

Gail Cowen, 67, of Ridgefield, CT, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and colleague remembered for her boundless love, empathy, and positivity, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, after a courageous three-year battle with breast cancer.
Gail was born on December 31, 1957, in Boston, MA, to the late James Patterson and D. Elizabeth Morrison “Betty” Patterson. She grew up in Medfield, MA, where she graduated from Medfield High School in 1975. She went on to earn a degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1979 and later a Master of Education in 1994 from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Gail dedicated her life to faith, family, and the education and protection of children, weaving these commitments into every chapter of her journey.
In 1979, Gail married her high school sweetheart, and together they built a beautiful life, raising three daughters while embracing the many moves that came with Rawson’s career. Their first home was in Stafford Springs, CT, where Gail became a Special Education teacher at the high school. In 1981, they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, a place Gail cherished second only to Cape Cod. Their two eldest daughters were born there, and Gail became Director of Youth Education at First Presbyterian Church. Returning to Massachusetts in 1986, their third daughter was born, followed by relocating in 1988 to Houston, Texas. There, Gail taught Great Books and art in Kingwood Elementary Schools and served as a District Trainer and Leader in Girl Scouts. By 1991, the family had returned to Foxborough, Massachusetts, and later to Medfield in 1997, much to the delight of her parents who still lived in her hometown. Gail became Director of Education at First Congregational Church in Norwood, MA, pursued her master’s degree, and then taught third and fourth grades in the Foxborough Public Schools. She also maintained her connection to Lesley University as a Literacy Institute Educator. In 1999, the family settled in Ridgefield, CT. Though a back injury prevented Gail from continuing in the classroom, she created Cowen Educational Services, where she thrived as an educational consultant, learning specialist, tutor, advocate, and mentor for many years.
Gail’s devotion to service extended far beyond her professional work. She held leadership roles in the National Charity League, serving as Vice President and President of the Nutmeg Chapter and eventually as a New England Regional Director. She was active in professional associations including the Council for Exceptional Children and international organizations for learning disabilities, dyslexia, and reading. She led Bible study at every church she attended, volunteered at safe houses, and guided her daughters’ Girl Scout troops with dedication and joy.
From childhood, Gail found joy in the woods, the arts, and dance. She was a cheerleader, soccer player, and once scaled Yosemite’s Half Dome with her cousins. Even after her back injury, she continued to walk Ridgefield’s trails, grateful for the beauty around her. Cape Cod was her lifelong sanctuary—from childhood visits with her family, trips with her paternal grandmother to Martha’s Vineyard, a honeymoon on Nantucket, to summers in Brewster, Chatham, and finally a home in Orleans. Though her time in Orleans was cut short, it brought immeasurable joy and became a cherished place for her family
A lifelong learner and extensive reader for pleasure or profession, Gail’s curiosity led her to explorations of cultures, neuroscience, and physics in seeking understanding. Entertainment, if not reading on a beach, included visiting bookstores or libraries for hours. Inspired by her own Scottish ancestry, Gail also became a dedicated genealogist to match her love of all things Scotland. Trips to Scotland and the UK in her pursuits were highlights of her love of travel. Above all, her Christian faith anchored her life, guiding her spiritual gifts and the power of healing. Gail was working toward supporting parents who have lost children before she became ill.
She will be remembered for her unwavering, selfless dedication and perseverance to support family, friends, and students, and her ability to create a welcoming home wherever the family landed. Her greatest joy was raising her three daughters, spending days on Cape Cod, and loving her three grandsons. Always gracious and attentive, she was the light in the room whose positivity, warmth, and encouragement touched everyone she met.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Rawson Richardson Cowen III; her children, Sarah Slavin and husband Kyle of Medfield MA, Blythe Cowen and partner Tristan of Foxborough MA, and Emily Masino and husband Paul; and her three adored grandsons, Mason, Cooper, and Landon Masino of Westport CT.
A private family interment will be held on December 31 in Orleans, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gail’s memory to the American Cancer Society or your local library.