Margarita Maria “Markie” Cowley Rank, was born Nov. 17, 1950, in Havana, Cuba, to Yolanda P. and Luis M. Cowley M.D. She died July 1, 2022, in Dallas, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Markie died surrounded by family and friends.

The second of six children, Markie grew up in Terrell, attending Terrell Elementary, Terrell Junior High, and graduating from Terrell High School in 1968. She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, at the time majoring in education. It was in Missouri that Markie first became interested in the nursing field. Her first paycheck came from working in the University of Missouri Columbia Medical Center as a psychiatric attendant at 18 yrs. old. Returning to Texas, Markie received a B.S. from University of Texas, Arlington (UTA), and graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, with an M.S. degree in nursing.

Upon graduating, Markie joined the nursing staff at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Her nursing career then took her to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, FL, and eventually to join Humana Hospital-Audubon in Louisville, KY, where she was the Executive Director and Chief Nursing Officer.

It was at this time that she met her husband, Patrick Rank. They were married Oct. 12, 1991, in California’s Napa Valley. They built their life in the Dana Point, Monarch Beach, and Laguna Niguel communities located in the Orange County area of Southern California.

In 1990 Markie joined the staff of Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, CA, as Vice President of Patient Care Services. Ten years later (2000) she was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Senior Vice President of Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center.

After a successful and rewarding career, Markie retired. Always active, she took up golf at El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel, and shared many happy memories with long-lasting friends. Seven weeks before her death, Markie was in Laguna, celebrating life’s milestones with these cherished friends.

In 2016, Markie and Pat returned to Texas to be near family. While in Texas, Markie continued her love of golf, making new friends. For the last six years, they have split their time between their homes and friends in California and Texas.

Markie is survived by her husband Pat, and his two children and their families: Karen Rank and husband Tod Earhart, and children Spencer and Elise Suckling; and Nick and Patty Rank, and their children Samantha Elliot (Emma), Erin Potter-Rank, Meghan and Rachel Rank.

She is also survived by her five siblings and their families: Anna and Dr. Zachary R. Hodges of Houston, and niece Krisana (Ali), Theryn and Rowan, and niece Emily Hodges; Luis Cowley of Richardson, and nephew Michael Cowley; Maria A. Cowley of Mansfield, and niece Danielle Archuleta (Tony Olivi); Yolanda Cowley Brady M.D., of Waxahachie, nephew Logan Brady (Erin), Penny, Quinn and Charlie Brady, and niece Gable Brady; Felipe and Mary Ann Cowley of McKinney, and nephew Bill Cowley (Abby), Emma and Ella Cowley, and niece Josie Cowley.

Markie is also survived by Pat’s siblings and their families: William L. Rank and his children Eric, Christopher, Barbara and Peter Rank; Christine M. Hess and husband Ken, and their children William L. Hess and Elizabeth H. McCadie; and Mary M. Slade and husband John, and their children Andrew J. Slade and Christine L. Milosevic.

Markie also leaves behind her sweet companion Stella, numerous cousins in Colorado, Alabama and Florida, great nieces and nephews on the Rank side of the family, and many dear friends in California and Texas, who will miss her sense of adventure, her spirit and deep loyalty, and her willingness to always help those in need.

Her parents Yolanda P. and Luis M. Cowley M.D., of Terrell and later Richardson, TX, and her in-laws, Dixie and Louis Rank, of Brillion, WI, preceded Markie in death.

A memorial service celebrating Markie’s life is to be conducted Aug. 6, 2022, at 2 p.m., in the chapel at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243. Following the service, friends are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the reception area of the funeral home.

Another memorial service will follow in Southern California at a later date.

Once arrangements are finalized, information for these services can be found at http://www.markiecowleyrank.wordpress.com/

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests contributions in Markie’s memory be directed to Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Attn: Julie Malvey, 480 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868. Online donations to Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange: https://csjorange.org/ make-a-gift/