"Dear Jerry and Family, I regret that I won't be able to make the Service today. My thoughts will be with you all. My memories of meeting Judy at least 20 years ago are still vivid. All the parties we had before she met you, the trips to Okoboji when you were married, the visit on Cape Coral and the lunch we all had with her and Maggie in Des Moines are only a few of those memories. She was instrumental in expanding our friendships and keeping those friendships strong. With her loss, the "group" just isn't the same. I will cherish those memories and all the pictures we took will continue to remind me of the great years we all had together and what an amazing and special lady she is. I miss her too. Thinking of all of you, with love, Roz Ansher"
In loving memory of
Judith (Fritz) Smith-Cowen
November 28, 2008
Judith Louise (Fritz) Smith-Cowan, eldest of two children of Virginia Louise (May) Fritz and Homer Douglas Fritz, was born at her parent's home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 2, 1941. In 1942, her family moved to Glenwood, Iowa; returning to live near her extended family, and her parent's Mills County roots. In 1944, she became a big sister to her sibling, Pamela Dee.
Judy spent her youth in Glenwood. She attended school, made lifelong friends, and did her growing up there. She graduated from Glenwood Community High School in 1959. Following graduation, Judy attended Barnes Beauty College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where she received her degree, and worked as a beautician in Council Bluffs, Glenwood, and later, in Iowa City, IA. It was while she lived in Glenwood that she met her future husband James E. Smith.
On July 21, 1963, Judy married Jim at the First Congregational Church in Glenwood, where she and her family were members. They made their first home in Glenwood, and then moved to Iowa City, Iowa. There, their family grew, with the addition two beloved children, Robert Fritz Smith (1965) and Suzanne Louise Smith (1968). The family spent some time living in Davenport, and again in Iowa City, before making a big move to Arvada, Colorado where they lived for about two years. Then, after moving to Loveland, Colorado, and living there for about two years, Judy gave birth to her precious son Cody James (1977). Shortly after Cody was born, the family moved back home to Iowa, where they settled in Carlisle.
Judy had held several part time jobs over the years, such as in-home day care, selling Avon and jewelry, and working at Sears, Younkers, and several flower shops. It was around this time, however, when she started working full time in Des Moines. Her first full time job was with American Mutual Insurance as a life insurance clerk. In 1981, Judy began working as a marketing consultant for Dial Financial, which was eventually purchased by Norwest and finally, Wells Fargo. Several years later, Judy and Jim were divorced, and Judy moved from Carlisle to Des Moines. She started attending college courses at night to help further her education as well as to advance in her position at Wells Fargo. She was eventually made a writer in the department and went on to receive the employee of the month award an unprecedented three times. It was during this period in her life that she met Jerry Dale Cowan.
On February 12, 1999, after a 12-year courtship, Judy and Jerry were married at their home in Des Moines. Judy's family grew to include Jerry's two grown children, Jeff Cowan of Eden Prairie, MN, and Cathy Cowan McCauley, of Estherville, IA, and his six grandchildren. Jerry and Judy continued to live in Des Moines until Judith's retirement from Wells Fargo in 2001. Then the couple moved to Cape Coral, Florida. They later moved to Laurie, Missouri at the Lake of the Ozarks and eventually settled in Littleton, Colorado.
Judy enjoyed decorating, cooking, shelling, gardening, photography, music, entertaining, traveling, dancing, and sunsets. Her proudest accomplishment was being the mother of her three beautiful and kind children. She was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and was a member of the Carlisle P.E.O. Chapter NT. Judy was a loving, modest, compassionate, funny, intelligent, beautiful, and inspiring person. Her inner strength and determination were nothing short of astounding. For nearly six years she refused to give up her fight against her metastasized breast cancer. She persevered and fought through adversity and pain over and over again so that she could live life to the fullest, and spend more time with her loved ones. For this, we are eternally grateful.
She and Jerry had been married eight years, when she died victoriously at their Colorado home on November 28, 2008 at the age of 67 years and 26 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; her Aunt Vernelle "Bobbie" May Roll Lincoln, and her grandparents Ralph and Lela May, and Bert and Pearl Fritz. She is survived by her husband Jerry Cowan of Littleton, CO; her children and grandchildren, Robert Fritz Smith, his wife Susan, and their children, Tessa Jean and Samuel Franklin of Kansas City, MO; Suzanne Louise Smith McGarry, her husband Jack, and their son Mitchell Seamus of Morrison, CO; and Cody James Smith, his wife Amy, and their children Jude Douglas and Elena Louise of Des Moines, IA; her sister Pamela Dee Hostetter-Oldaker of Glenwood, IA; her first cousins Doug Roll of Pacific Junction, and Rick Roll of Albuquerque, NM: her dear friends Susie Flack and Deloma Pippitt; her stepchildren Jeff Cowan, and Cathy McCauley; her first husband, Jim Smith; six step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; many other cousins and relatives; and numerous wonderful friends.
Tributes
"Rob, Suzanne and Cody, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your lovely and devoted mother. Our thoughts will be with you on Saturday and in the days to come. "
"Judy and I met at a workshop for those going through a divorce. Having this in common, our friendship grew and she was instrumental in my gaining employment at Norwest/Wells Fargo. Memories of Judy will always make me smile."
"Judy and I met in 1995 on a message board for breast cancer survivors, and began a friendship that enriched my life forever. We soon learned that we had more than our bouts with breast cancer in common. Even though I lived in California, and she was living in Des Moines, through my genealogy research we realized that our ancestors probably knew each other, and she had grown up in the town that my immigrant ancestors, John and Mary Ann Sivers, helped to found...Glenwood, IA! This was just the beginning of many other serendipitous "coincidences" that convinced us we were meant to find each other and become wonderful friends. Judy was one of the most courageous people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. She was one classy lady with a heart of gold and a smile that brought joy to everyone around her. My love and sympathy goes out to all of her family and friends. She will live on in our hearts forever. I miss you, girlfriend!"
"Judy was a good friend and fellow Hawkeye supporter. I enjoyed working with her at Dial, Norwest and Wells Fargo Financial."
"I'm truly sorry to hear about Judy's death. I worked with her for years at Dial/Norwest/Wells Fargo. She was a wonderful and kind person. Throughout all our challenging projects at work, she was cheerful, creative, and hardworking. She was always a lady, handling delicate situations with great care. I enjoyed sharing good times with Judy at work parties and at her home. She was the best cook and provided some really good treats for us. I feel blessed to have known her and will remember her kindness she showed to everyone. "