Volunteer Nancy Cowee Retires After 50 Years
The 94-year-old received a Denver7 Everyday Hero award for nearly five decades of service at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Nancy Cowee, 94, is retiring from her volunteer role at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital after nearly 50 years. Denver7 presented her with an Everyday Hero award for her service.
Why it matters
Cowee's long tenure reflects the sustained role volunteers play in supporting hospital operations and patient experience in the Aurora area. Her retirement marks the end of a volunteer career that spanned several decades of the hospital's growth.
UCHealth records document at least 36,634 volunteer hours contributed by Cowee across nearly 50 years. Those records do not capture her full time with the hospital, so the total is a minimum.
The players
Nancy Cowee
A 94-year-old longtime volunteer at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital who helped launch the hospital's gift shop operations.
Denver7
The Denver television station that presents the Everyday Hero award to recognize local residents for community service.
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
The Aurora-area academic medical center where Cowee volunteered for nearly five decades.
The details
Cowee and her husband moved to Colorado after John W. Cowee was hired as chancellor of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She proposed a gift shop at a meeting of faculty wives, helped establish the first shop at the former University Hospital on Ninth Avenue in Denver, and later helped manage three gift shops, purchasing merchandise and assisting customers.
Timeline
Approximately 1970s: Cowee moves to Colorado and helps start the first gift shop.
November 9, 2026: Denver7 presents Cowee with an Everyday Hero award.
Philanthropy Context
Auxiliary volunteer groups at hospitals have long run gift shops whose proceeds support patient services. Cowee's work building the first shop at the former University Hospital on Ninth Avenue fits that model.
Residents who volunteer at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital can follow Cowee's example of long-term, consistent service. Her retirement opens a volunteer role that the hospital will need to fill.
The takeaway
Sustained volunteer commitment, even in small roles like running a gift shop, can shape a hospital's daily experience for decades. Those interested in similar work can look into volunteer opportunities at local hospitals.
Further reading
For more on giving and volunteer service, see Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH).
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