North Beach Neighbors has lost a dear friend and the organization's first president, Marsha Garland, who passed away earlier this month. I feel fortunate to have sat with Marsha for a couple of hours recently after changing some light bulbs for her in her cozy apartment where she resided with her two dogs. We had a lovely conversation exchanging stories of our times in North Beach. Marsha's friend and NBN's second president, Richard "Lucky" Perri, has written Marsha's obituary for the Chronicle (below is an excerpt). North Beach Neighbors will be organizing a memorial to celebrate Marsha's life in the coming months.
Marsha Rose Cowen was born on Feb 20,1943 in Romford Essex England. She arrived in the US on July 13,1952 with her family and resided in Santa Barbara California. Marsha loved learning and was an excellent student and enjoyed dancing and singing and the arts at a very early age. Soon after finishing high school she came to San Francisco like many others "with flowers in her hair”. For a while she worked for the Belt Line Railway system doing secretarial work; eventually taking positions with law firms. That was her day job, but she was also an excellent singer, Mezzo Soprano, and loved to sing classic love songs and other pop tunes in many clubs here in the city through the 70’s.
Marsha dedicated much of her adult life to the City of San Francisco, especially North Beach. Marsha really fell in love with the community from the day she moved in. She became active in civil affairs and in 1982 founded and became the 1st President of "The North Beach Neighbors”. She created the North Beach Chamber of Commerce in 1985, at which time as an ardent Italiophile and being part Italian, had the poles in North Beach painted with red white and green horizontal stripes. As owner of Garland Community and Public Relations, Marsha also worked with many restaurants helping them obtain business permits and navigate through the tedious twists and turns to do so.
Ms. Garland was a well-known community activist. She was involved with the creation of the Michelangelo Community Garden and Park on Greenwich Street. Marsha worked with many politicians, including Mayors Moscone, Feinstein, Mayor/Governor Gavin Newsom, who before he left for his governorship asked Ms. Garland to be on the Small Business Commission but she had to decline due to conflict of interests.
One of the fine qualities Marsha possessed was her love of animals. She always had pets which included rats, cats and dogs. She was known for her Manchester Terriers, Duca and Rosa, who she had with her constantly as she strolled up and down Columbus Ave and the streets of the neighborhood. Ms. Garland, a professional writer, was currently working on a children’s story inspired by her travels in which dogs immigrate to America.
Marsha was a fighter till the end. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 64 and went through 14 years of surgeries and therapy that resulted in continuous pain and discomfort, but she hardly ever complained and was always self-reliant. She finally succumbed to the disease peacefully in the sanctity and comfort of her home with her dogs on Tuesday March 16, 2021 at age 78. This is how she wanted to go, by her own rules, peacefully and naturally like a true English woman, maintaining a “Stiff Upper Lip". There is no doubt that she will be dearly missed and remembered by many of us.
Marsha is survived by her half sister Sandra Croshaw of New Jersey, niece Heather Croshaw of the Virgin Islands, nephew Jeff Croshaw of New Jersey, cousins Janet Gonzalez of Santa Barbara and Cathrine Gonzalez of Nevada City, Sue Kendo of NSW Australia and Sarah Edwards from England.
Marsha was an ardent patron of the arts and opened an art gallery called Buon Gusto Gallery (in the old sausage factory) on Green St between Grant and Columbus, and exhibited work by local neighborhood artists such as Richard Louis Perri, Elizabeth Ashcroft , Ellen Byrnes and more. She has an extensive collection of paintings, drawings works on paper, sculptures art objects and furnishings primarily of local artists that she has collected over the years. These items are part of the trust that will be liquidated to fund the MARSHA ROSE COWEN GARLAND REVOCABLE TRUST, the proceeds from which will be distributed to KDFC Classical Musical radio station. For further info about seeing or purchasing the art please email northbeachmarsha@gmail.com .
