Debra McCowin, 72, of Brighton Township, formerly of Chippewa Township, passed away on December 26th, 2024 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Debra passed due to multiple complications after making a strong recovery from a recent stroke.
She was born in Washington, Pennsylvania on June 29th, 1952, the oldest of three children and a daughter of Ferris James West and Shirley Triance. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bruce, brother James (Alice) West of Boardman, Ohio, brother Micheal (Debbie) West, stepfather Charles Triance Sr., sister Tracy Torry and brother Chuck Triance, all of Zebulon, North Carolina. She is also survived by her four children: David (Peggy) McCowin, Rachel (Josh) Elek, Jarrod (Heather) McCowin, and Amanda (Andrew) Rupke. She was also the proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: Emmet and Hazel McCowin, Norah and Winnie Elek, Cora and Ellie McCowin, and Caleb, Judah, and Vera Rupke.
Debra met her husband, David Bruce McCowin, through a cousin and the two married at age 19. As a young mother of four, she opened Colonial Florist in Chippewa with a good friend. She later worked as a teller at Peoples Home Savings Bank, as treasurer at the Beaver-Butler Presbytery, and lastly as an administrative assistant at the corporate office of Dick’s Sporting Goods. A talented musician, Debra played the piano and organ for Chippewa United Presbyterian Church and Park Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. She blessed countless weddings with her music and flowers.
Friends will be received on Monday, December 30th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. All are invited to attend Debra’s funeral service on Tuesday, December 31st at 11 a.m. at Park Presbyterian Church, 275 Commerce Street, Beaver.