Paula Grace Cowan (nee Sanford), passed away at home on June 17.

Paula was born September 21, 1946 in Sandpoint, Idaho. She moved to Sequim in 1952 when her father, Morris (Bud) Sanford became the 5th grade teacher at Sequim elementary school under Principal Helen Haller. She graduated from Sequim High School in 1964 and then The Master's College in California, where she met her husband, Clyde Cowan.

Paula and Clyde were married at Sequim Bible Church, where Paula had been a part of the original group that started the church. She served as a missionary and began her ministry among First Nation people in Canada, then formed her own international ministry.

Paula developed a service to encourage and strengthen missionary women and joined her efforts to Women Of The Harvest, who worked with women in missions world wide. An isolated woman in Central Asia thanked Paula for her care and said, "You saved my life."

Paula's work took her to more than 30 countries. In 2019 she came "home" to Sequim for retirement near most of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She has ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren with two more on the way. Four of Paula's grandchildren were on the football field at Sequim high school one year, a cheerleader and three playing in the games. She loved it.

She also loved music and her children remember the music that surrounded them. She was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. She also was Homecoming Queen in college, mention of which made her blush. She loved chocolate covered macadamia nuts and also maple bars. Both of those will be snacks at her Memorial service on Saturday, June 28 at 2:00 PM at Sequim Bible Church.

Paula is survived by brothers Jon Sanford and wife Elona from Edmonds, WA; Fran Sanford and wife Jeri from Sequim; and Marcus Sanford from Juneau, Alaska. Paula's surviving children are Sally Berwick and husband Chuck Berwick from Newtown Square, PA; Travis Cowan and wife Lisa from Port Angeles; and David Cowan and wife Heather from Sequim. Her grandchildren are Cody, Jonathan, Benjamin, Isaiah, Anna, Sarah, Riley and Brianna, all Cowans, and Bradford and Chase Berwick. Great grandchildren are David, Adam, Thomas, Joseph, Azalea and Luka, all Cowans.