Elsie E. (Bentley) McCowan, of Melrose, died at the Woodbriar Nursing Center in Wilmington on April 16, 2012 at the age of 96. Elsie was born & raised in Montreal, Canada and a graduate of Girls High School. She resided in Montreal until 1952 and lived in Malden for 30 years before moving to Melrose 34 years ago. Elsie was a member of the Melrose Arts & Crafts, the Fuller House 200 Club and the Melrose Wakefield Hospital Auxiliary. She was honored by the Melrose Wakefield Hospital for over 25 years and 10, 000 hours of volunteer service. Elsie was the beloved wife of the late Roland J. McCowan. Loving mother of Kenneth McCowan & his wife Agnes of Wilmington and the late Douglas McCowan & his wife Sandra of Melrose. Cherished grandmother of 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Caring sister of Ruth Burnett of Ontario and the late Isabelle "Babe" Smith, Muriel "Boo" Grant and James & Thomas Bentley. Also survived by many nieces & nephews. A funeral service will be held at the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday April 23rd at 10AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours on Sunday from 2-5PM. Burial in Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Elsie's name to Down Syndrome Program at Children's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02115.