Strachan/Tate Family

GOWAN DARLENE G. Darlene Grace Gowan died at her home in Allison Park on July 15, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. She was the daughter of Curtis and Maude Rogers, born in LeClair, IA on Aug. 12, 1936. She grew up in Princeton, IA where, after working in a lumber yard for several years, she married the pastor of her church, the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Gowan. They were married for 52 years, enjoying the good times together and supporting one another through trials and tragedies. They moved to Chicago where he completed his doctoral work, then to Denton, TX, and finally to the Pittsburgh area, where he served as Professor of Old Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In 1971-72, they spent a year in Oxford, England, while he was on sabbatical leave. From 1975-1990, she owned and operated Darlene's Yarn Shop, at the corner of Rt. 8 and Duncan Ave., where her skills in every kind of needlework were prized by the many customers that she helped. She was an enthusiastic gardener and qualified her property with the National Wildlife Association as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. In her early years, she was very active in the Presbyterian Church; poor health limited her activities in later years. Among her many hobbies during her last years were the designing of unique greeting cards and building miniature replicas of stores - flower shop, bakery, music store, grocery, aquarium store, etc. She suffered all her life from many health problems, but impressed everyone who knew her with her positive attitude and cheerful spirit. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and two sisters. She is survived by her husband; her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Marie Gowan; two brothers-in-law, Walter and Richard Gowan; nieces and nephews. By her request, there will be no visitation and the service will be private. Gifts in memory of Darlene may be sent to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh 15206. Arrangements by KYPER FUNERAL HOME, 2702 Mt. Royal Blvd., at Mt. Royal Cemetery, Glenshaw, PA. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 18, 2011 Gardener Darlene Gowan embraced creativity, upbeat attitude Pittsburgh Tribune-Review By Thomas Olson Published: Monday, July 18, 2011 From the outdoors of her backyard to the indoor world of miniatures, Darlene Gowan was an unusually creative person. Darlene Grace Gowan of Allison Park died at home on Friday, July 15, 2011, of complications from breast cancer. She was 74. Mrs. Gowan was a gardener of distinction. She developed her backyard into an ecosystem worthy of a National Wildlife Association designation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. "To qualify for that, you have to prepare a map of your property demonstrating it provides shelter for wildlife, and a water supply and various kinds of food supplies, such as plants with seeds and flowers with nectar," said her husband, the Rev. Donald Gowan. The yard attracted hummingbirds, hundreds of goldfinches, squirrels, chipmunks and other animals, he said. "She was very enthusiastic about that and very proud of that." The Gowans were married for 52 years after meeting in Princeton, Iowa, a small town along the Mississippi River. She was a member of the Presbyterian church where he served as minister. The couple moved to Pittsburgh in 1965, and the reverend began serving as professor of the Old Testament at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He retired in 1999. Three years after returning from his one-year sabbatical in Oxford, England, in 1972, Mrs. Gowan opened Darlene's Yarn Shop in Allison Park and ran it until 1990. Her skills as a needleworker were well-known, as she decorated self-made greeting cards with crocheted flowers. Mrs. Gowan produced miniature replicas -- measuring about one cubic foot -- of various shops, such as a bakery or flower shop, including furnishings. "For the music shop, for example, she made a drum set, two harps, a clarinet and a flute," said the reverend. "She'd just figure out creative ways to make such things." "Grace" was her middle name, and it showed. Mrs. Gowan suffered most of her life from several afflictions but kept upbeat with those around her. "She dealt very well with her pain and always did her best not to take it out on anyone," said daughter-in-law Marie Gowan of Mrs. Gowan's 10-year struggle with cancer. She lives in suburban Indianapolis with husband Douglas, the Gowans' son. Mrs. Gowan was diagnosed with a rare, inherited blood-clotting condition in 1965, which produced many painful occasions for years. "But she never whined or complained," said the reverend. "She'd mention what was hurting or wrong. But she had a remarkably positive attitude toward things, even though she spent much of her life in pain." Aside from the reverend, son and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Gowan is survived by brothers-in-law Walter and Richard Gowan, as well as several nieces and nephews. She had requested no visitation and that her funeral service be private. Gifts in her memory may be sent to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.