Betty Gervais Cowens, formerly of North Avenue in St. Johnsbury and most recently of Montpelier, passed away at Heaton Woods facility in Montpelier on Friday morning, Feb. 1, 2013 at the age of 87. Betty was born in St. Johnsbury on April 30, 1925, the daughter of Herbert and Dorothy Mae (James) Gervais. She married Andrew Cowens on Sept. 24, 1945. Betty graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy with the class of 1943. Betty had been a teacher's aide at the St. Johnsbury Community School on Cherry Street. The Cowens raised their family at their North Avenue home. They moved to Lake Wales, Fla. in 1980 upon Andy's retirement from the post office. The Cowens returned to Vermont in 2006; Andy passed away in 2007. Betty excelled at crafts, painting, flower gardening, and baking. She loved all sports, music, and spending time with her grandchildren, and just simply loved all people. She is survived by a daughter Nancy Comey of Stowe, three sons: Marty Cowens and wife Charlene of Littleton, N.H., Dave Cowens and wife Vicki of Monroe, N.H., 'Putt' Cowens and wife Kathy of Middlesex; seven grandchildren: Eric, Amy and Megan, Jamie and Alison, Kylie and Kristen; two sisters: Barbara Hodgson and husband Chuck of Lakes Wales, Fla., Patricia Turner and husband Jerry of Lake Wales, Fla., a brother Robert Gervais also of Lake Wales, Fla.; nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather at the Sayles Funeral Home this Friday, Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated in St. Johnsbury on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church. Spring burial will take place at M. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions, marked for 'The Activities Fund', could be directed to Heaton Woods, 10 Heaton St., Montpelier VT 05602.