Dawn S. Cowles

Dawn S. Cowles, 46, of Leominster, Mass., died at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Mass., with her family by her side.

She graduated from Harwood Union High School in 1986, then from Manchester Community College and Willimantic Dental School, both in Connecticut, and went on to work in the dental field.

She was very active in the Woman’s Club of Enfield, Conn., committing herself to its annual Fourth of July parade, cooking classes for kids, delivering books from the library for shut-ins, and delivering Meals on Wheels. She also volunteered her time at a food pantry in Leominster, Mass.

Survivors include her daughters, Meghan Flaherty of College Park, Md., and Rachel Flaherty of Windsor Locks, Conn.; her parents, Robert and Marie Cowles of Milford, Mass.; her sister and brother-in-law, Darcy and Jim Shramek of Bellingham, Mass.; and her nephew, Cole Shramek of Bellingham, Mass.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 109 S. Main St., Waterbury. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Burial will follow in Maple Street Cemetery in Waterbury Center.

Dawn was a loving and caring person and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all she helped along the way. The family is grateful for condolences, but in lieu of flowers, suggests a donation in Dawn’s memory to a favorite charity.