Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Margaret “Christina” Lou Cowling (née Cooke) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on April 6, 2026, at the age of 77, following a brief illness.
Christina is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jack; her daughter, Andrea (Wayne); her siblings, Lucille, Heather (Bill), and Philip (Carol); along with many extended family members and friends who were fortunate to know her.
She was born on April 28, 1948, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Reverend John Mervin and Martha Agnus Cooke, both of whom predeceased her.
Christina’s life was defined by her steady care for others. She worked for many years as a Health Care Aide at Fairhaven, where her kindness and attentiveness left a lasting impression. In retirement, she continued this work of care through her volunteer service with Hospice Peterborough. A thoughtful and reflective person, Christina found joy in writing and expressed herself through poetry, often capturing moments that others might overlook. She welcomed people without judgement, particularly those who had experienced hardship, and believed firmly in the inherent worth of every person. To Christina, everyone’s story mattered, and she made space for them all.
Christina also had a deep and abiding love for animals. She could never walk past one without stopping to admire it, pet it, or strike up a conversation with its owner. Whether on a quiet walk or out in the community, animals drew her gentle attention and brought her great joy—yet another reflection of her compassionate and open heart.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Those wishing to honour Christina’s memory may do so through donations to Hospice Peterborough, 325 London Street, Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 2Z5.