Judith Cowin

Judith Cennamo Cowin passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 6, 2021, after a brief but intense battle with cancer. Judy was born in Columbus, Ohio, on August 20, 1957, and received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University with a specialization in teaching students with learning disorders. She married Joe Cowin in 1986, and together they moved to Overland Park, Kansas, to start a family. Although she lived in Kansas for 35 years, Judy always maintained her Ohio pride and love for the Buckeyes.

A teacher for over 25 years, Judy was a member of the International Dyslexia Association and a certified member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy in the Fellow-In-Training program. She was completing a Master of Arts in Reading Science in pursuit of becoming a Fellow to train other educators in reading instruction approaches. Judy’s boundless energy, creativity, and unparalleled patience when working with children changed the lives of many students and their families. Parents lauded her perseverance and ability to connect with students.

Judy was the type of person who rarely took a break. If she wasn’t planning lessons, she was running with the dogs, moving furniture, or reading. She was a coffee lover and exuded creativity through crafts and home projects. Nary a birthday would go by without custom-made arts and crafts or a special design on a cake. Her warmth and brilliant smile could make anyone feel at ease. Judy will be incredibly missed by her family, friends, students, peers, and community.

In addition to being survived by her husband Joe, Judy is survived by her four children: Jon, Betsy, Olivia, and Sam Cowin. She spent countless hours loving them – sitting in the bleachers at sporting events, cooking meals together in the kitchen, and lounging together with her dogs and granddogs.

A private memorial service will take place in the coming days in Columbus, Ohio, where her ashes will be laid to rest alongside her beloved mother, Betty Reiss. She is preceded in death by her mother, her stepfather, Bob Reiss, her father, Tony Cennamo, and her brothers: Michael, Donald, and Louie Cennamo. Judy is also survived by her sisters Teresa Cennamo (Kirby Utt) and Mary Robison, her brothers Arthur (Kathy) and Tommy Cennamo, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Orton-Gillingham Academy . We also encourage you to find a copy of your favorite book to read with a loved one and remember Judy.