Ella Cowan celebrating 100 years of living life!
TNCP photo
LANSING, MI — Ella Cowan celebrated a century on her birthday as she turned 100 years old with family and friends at Riverfront Towers located at 601 S. Cedar Street. She was surrounded by a crowded room of friends and family. She received resolutions from the U.S. Congress, State of Michigan, Ingham County and the City of Lansing. Ella also received a birthday card greeting from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Councilperson Carol Wood said, “When you look at the giving nature of Ella Cowan over the span of her life we must look deep within ourselves to see if we are as charitable as she. Are we making time for others and sharing our wisdom, wealth? Most importantly do we have a listening ear. Ella has taught her family and others the importance of strength and dedication.”
Ella was born into a family of seven children in Demopolis, Alabama on November 14, 1913. When Ella was five years old her mother died giving birth to her younger sister. Ella’s father was determined to keep the nine children together and rose early every morning and traveled across town at 5:00 a.m. to prepare breakfast in his restaurant for the nearby factory workers. Due to his strength and commitment in raising his children it made lasting impression on Ella.
Ella graduated from Birmingham Industrial High School and worked part time for Jones of New York Boutique in the dress department. After high school she moved to Chicago, IL with one of her sisters. Ella’s aunt and sister arranged a meeting with gentleman from Canada by the name of William Joseph Cowan and he declared that she would be the woman to have his children and they were married.
William and Ella moved to Lansing where they raised seven children, four girls and three boys until William’s passing in 1978. Ella’s last job was as the elevator operator at the Arbaugh’s Department Store in downtown Lansing. Ella woke early every morning and played tennis between 5:00 am to 7:00 am, returning home for breakfast. She loved tennis and has lived a very active life and feels tennis and keeping active are reasons she has lived so long. Ella is a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and has been actively involved in her church.
She has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and she is loved by her family. Ella continues a lifestyle of playing cards daily and visiting with her friends and maintaining her apartment and you would never guess her age because of her active lifestyle.
Ella was humbled by the attention that she was receiving. She stated how lucky she was to been able to experience all she had during her life and how much her family and friends and faith meant to her.
