Rene Ann Spence Harper Fenton Cowman

Rene Ann Spence Harper Fenton Cowman, 88, the youngest daughter of Hector Howell Harper and Kathryn Spence Harper’s nine children, joined her ENTIRE family in heaven for Christmas on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. She was surrounded by those who call her “My Mother”, Mom, Grandmother Christmas, Grandma Nan, Grandma Man, and Grandma Grandma as she peacefully passed on. We are sad she is gone from us, but so happy for the anticipated family reunion. 

Rene Ann was born on November 23, 1936 in Salt Lake City. Being the last of nine children, she was enjoyed by her siblings and lived with them at times. Sleepovers at Don’s made Missy and Butch like younger siblings. She was a teenager when she moved in with her brother Ross and wife, Joyce. She became an “older sister” to Craig. She worked at a Drugstore to make money which she shared with her parents. She sewed her own clothing, always looking beautiful with her blonde curly hair. She attended Granite High School where she performed in musicals using her beautiful voice and tap danced in Kiss Me Kate. 

Rene Ann was in high school when she met Jack Fenton. They were young and so in love. They were soon married and had “four little darlings” in 5 ½ years. She was very proud of them and always made sure they had what they needed by working at Wykoff, Big Bs, and went from Bakery Sales to Management at Safeway Stores, where all the customers loved her. She left Safeway to a career in Real Estate where she poured her heart into finding her clients “the perfect home”. She sang in a women’s choir called Shubert Singers, Bowled on Leagues, and loved planning Family Reunions. 

Rene Ann later divorced. She met Gary Cowman and after five years together at “Cripple Creek”, they married and moved to Colorado. Rene Ann put all her energy into Real Estate in Littleton and Highland’s Ranch and was very successful for 25 years, receiving many awards. Because of her last name, she had a sales pitch “I Moooov Houses”, her license plates on her Cadillac said “MOOOV” and her email was RACowman @ Mooov2Colorado. She and Gary traveled many places for his work, but their favorites were the seven cruises and coming to Utah to visit all her children and grandchildren. She loved the Denver Broncos, planned monthly Bunco Games with a group of friends, and became involved with the Red Hats Society. 

Rene Ann was resilient, determined, and a fighter! She is a Breast Cancer Survivor for 38 years!! While in Colorado she courageously survived Brain Aneurysm Repair. She had Mitral Heart Valve Replacement with a Bovine Valve. Oh the stories of Rene Ann Cowman receiving a Bovine Valve...she got through that “like a pro”! A while later, it was her blood pressure that caused her to fall two times and a head injury that brought her back to Utah. It was a difficult period, but eventually she recovered. The wonderful community of Silvercrest Apartments kept her busy with games, activities, lunches, and even supported her when she went through the Jordan River Temple and received her endowments. Her friends and ward members she made there were so important to her, she has missed them so much since she had a stroke in August 2023 and had to move. 

Rene Ann worked so hard to try to recover, but it was exhausting. She moved into a wonderful, supportive community at Beehive Homes in Draper. Sayer, Mary, Alisha, and the staff were so helpful and understanding of her needs. We are so grateful for their dedication. She made good friends while they encouraged and supported one another. She had a special bond with her table, especially with one person having the same birthday. We recently “partied” together with Birthday BINGO and Carrot Cake. We were supposed to have our family party and share with the residents our Crazy Christmas Singing on the 21st, but we didn’t party here, she partied in heaven. Special thanks to Rachelle from Renew Hospice who lovingly cared for mom and our family the last 6 months and was there till the end.

Rene Ann’s is survived by her children: Lani Jo (Dave) Vigil, Staci Lyn (Trent) Oliver, Marcus (Hannele) Fenton, and Jacki Ann Burnham. Her grandchildren: Jami Vigil, Tory (Charis) Vigil, Jodi (Patrick) Hale, Chad (Kathryn) Vigil, Ali Oliver, Angi Bradley, Skylar (Molly) Fenton, Madeline Jones, Abbi (Burkley) Probst, and Hayli Burnham. Her great-grandchildren: Sammi Jo Neff; Ally and Myles Sizemore, Olyvia and TJ Vigil; Jack, Abe, Annie, and Jones Vigil; Cassidy, Remington, Haven, Grady, and Ryan Bradley; Kohen and Emmelin Gillie, Ellie and Orion Probst, and one great grandson “Scuba” coming in May; Brother-in-law Buzz Fenton; Sisters-in-law Evelyn Harper and Jane Fenton, Nieces and Nephews. Preceded in death by: Husband Gary Cowman, Ex Husband Jack Fenton, Daughter-in-Law Lori Fenton, Granddaughter Jessica Williams, Parents, Brothers Don (Rene), Bill, George, Ross (Joyce), Bob (Lola), and Jack, Sisters Darlene (Johnny) and Lorraine (Kenny), Brother-in-law Fred Fenton; and Sister-in-law Judy Fenton. 

Funeral services will be Monday, December 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Anderson Goff Mortuary, 11859 S. 700 E., Draper. A viewing will be at 10:00 AM before the funeral. Burial afterwards at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, where she will be laid near her brothers, Ross and Bob. 

“You take the high road and we’ll take the low road. From the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.”