Carole Cowan

February 20, 1928 – October 10, 2010

Carole was born in Malden, Mass., the 3rd of four children born to Hawley and Lucille Jackson. She graduated from Pasadena high school and lived with her sister Eve in Los Angeles. There she met her husband Thor Cowan and they moved to Santa Barbara after marrying in 1949. She drew the blueprints for the house they built together, dug foundation ditches until the birth of her son, and lived there the rest of her life.

She and Thor ran Rood Associates Printing for 9 years and later she became manager at Earl Warren Showgrounds where she worked until retiring in 1991. As a young woman she developed a passion for music and singing, becoming active in the Santa Barbara Opera Guild, where she and Thor performed in many productions. Her interest in music continued and she was a member of the Unitarian Society choir for many years and later was active with the Music Academy of the West and Music Affiliates at UCSB. Another of her passions was gardening and she became an avid orchid collector, joining the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara. She was a world traveler and enjoyed learning about other cultures and their orchids.

She died peacefully at home with her children, as a result of PSP, a neurological disease. She is preceded by her first husband Thor Cowan and her second husband Stephen Blickenstaff. She is survived by her children; Clark Cowan and Trela Cowan; her brothers Weldon (Gladys) Jackson and Hawley (Pat) Jackson, sister Eve Gordon, many nieces and nephews, and her step-children; Claire Marie Beery, Eric Blickenstaff (Cindy), Evan Blickenstaff, and their children, as well as many friends.

A special thanks to her caregivers: Esmeralda, Esther, Karina, Lulu, Lupita, Norma; Sharon Callis and Visiting Nurses & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara for their helpful support. In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to Music Academy of the West, KCET or a favorite charity.

Please join us in celebrating her life on November 13 from 2-5 at the Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara St.