Cowan, Darlene A.

Woonsocket

Cowan, Darlene A., 76, died peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Berkshire Nursing and Rehabilitation in Providence. Born October 21, 1949, at Puget Sound Naval Memorial Hospital in Bremerton Washington, she was the daughter of the late William Arbra Cowan and Geraldine Theresa (McAllister) Cowan.

She was a devoted mother of Christopher, and his wife Diana Cowan, and a loving grandmother to Julian and Adrian, all of Falmouth, MA. She was the sister of Jerry Cowan of Exeter, RI. Darlene was predeceased by her dear brother, William D. Cowan, and her beloved Tommy Cat.

Darlene was deeply committed to youth and community service through the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader, Cubmaster, and District Chair. Her dedication earned her numerous honors, including Cubmaster of the Year, Cub Scout Leader of the Year, the District Award of Merit, and the Cubmaster’s Key.

A lifelong public servant, Darlene dedicated more than 35 years to caring for others, particularly those often overlooked by society. She earned a Masters degree in Holistic Counseling from Salve Regina University and later a Doctorate in Psychology from Walden University. Her career included impactful work with The Providence Center, Phoenix House, Community Care Alliance, DCYF, and Polaris. At The Providence Center, she served as an Assistant Team Leader in Emergency Services, where she drew on her deep understanding of trauma to support emergency responders and conducted assessments for emergency room patients experiencing severe psychosis. At Phoenix House, she assessed individuals with substance use disorders for co-occurring mental health conditions that could affect recovery, always meeting clients where they were and offering holistic, compassionate approaches to managing intense triggers and supporting sobriety.

Darlene devoted ten years of uninterrupted service to the Community Care Alliance, she focused on housing and management services for the Burnside, HOPWA, 3 transitional housing programs and permanent supportive housing apartments in Woonsocket. With her handpicked team of LMHCs, they provided permanent supportive housing and oversaw safe accommodations for over twenty families, a dozen women and a dozen men; she oversaw food pantries, higher education opportunities, grants, and case management for people living with HIV and AIDS who would’ve otherwise been brushed under the rug. In recognition of her service, she received the Luis Ray Lazoda Memorial Award.
After suffering a stroke in 2021, Darlene was given the chance to do something that she had not been able to do for her entire life, she let go of the responsibilities that kept her nose on the grindstone – she retired by medical necessity and embraced a quieter life, finding joy in watching Jeopardy, Despicable Me, sunrise watching, teasing Billy and making art in the company of Snowball.

While her friends and her family will always know there is a Darlene shaped hole in their hearts, they want to give special thanks to the City of Woonsocket who accepted her as a member and leader within this tight knit community, the Woonsocket Fire Department for all of the help they provided during her time with CCA, as well as the many personal house calls made following her stroke; the nurses at Berkshire for their round the clock care; and the friends who stepped in to support her with compassion and care.

No services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, 266 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, RI or any charity benefiting our Armed Forces.