Rosamond “Kay” Whitcomb Cowles

Rosamond “Kay” Whitcomb Cowles of Chatham, MA passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025 surrounded by family.  She was born on December 23, 1942 in Peterborough, NH to the late Percy and Rosamond Whitcomb. 
Kay graduated from Burlington High School in Vermont in 1960, where she was a proud member of the ski team.   After high school, she attended Barrington College and then moved to Boston where she worked for Houghton Mifflin Publishing. Her life took a joyful turn when she met her future husband, Neill, when he gave her an eye exam. They married and moved to Cape Cod in 1969, where they built their life together. There she worked briefly for the Chatham Superintendent of Schools before dedicating herself to raising her family.
Kay enjoyed racket sports and had a reputation as a fierce competitor on the court.  For decades she split her time between tennis in the warmer months and paddle in the winter.  In her later years she became an enthusiastic regular on the pickleball circuit.  Kay’s energy and sportsmanship extended into the community, where she served on the membership committee and the board of the Chatham Platform Tennis Association.
Kay’s greatest joys, though, were found at home. Her four grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Gaga”, were the light of her life. A true friend to all creatures, she spent countless hours delighting in feeding the birds and all manner of neighborhood animals.  Kay’s chocolate chip cookies and brownies were legendary, eagerly anticipated at every family gathering and holiday—symbols of her nurturing nature and the love she spread through simple acts of kindness.
Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Neill; son, Geoff, and his wife, Cristin Cowles; daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Jon Jerotz; sister, Dee, and her husband, Wayne Thomas; sister-in-law, Loeta “Sis” Davis and brother-in-law, Charles “Chick” Davis; and cherished grandchildren, Jake, Phoebe, Jordy, and Ellie.
A celebration of her life will be planned.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Kay’s name to MSPCA Cape Cod.
For online condolences, please visit www. nickersonfunerals.com