Michelle Cowin-Gantz

Michelle Cowin - Gantz, 58, of Manassas, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 6th, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband Bobby and three lifelong girlfriends, Noelle, Reta, and Tracy. Michelle was born on 09/29/1967 in Tacoma Washington to Sidney Cowin & Junette Kirksey. She grew up in various locations as a little girl, settling in Nokesville, VA with her mother and late Brother, Bobby Dale-Cowin and went on growing up in Nokesville. She attended Brentsville School from Elementary through High, gaining many lifelong friends along the way. Michelle married shortly after High School, raising three young children over a 12-year period, obtaining her Undergrad and Master of Science in Counseling from George Mason University. Michelle was also Valedictorian for her Graduating class. Michelle worked for a hair stylist company, started a battered Woman’s Shelter in Front Royal Va., worked for The City of Alexandria alongside Joe Biden (pre- presidency) before landing her career at MCPS as guidance counselor at Baldwin Elementary School. Michelle passed away peacefully with her husband’s hand on her heart and beside her as well as her friends Noelle, Reta & Tracy. Michelle will be remembered for her outreach to those not as fortunate for her, delivering food to families in need, raising food drives for families who couldn’t afford every day staples, starting clothing drives so people could have warm clothes, one of her clothing drives, all people had to do was bring 1 can of food and could gather as many clothes as they could, and the canned food was then taken to a food pantry. Michelle was witty, silly, and funny. Her personality shined when with others, her intelligence was one she flaunted. Michelle is fondly remembered by past colleagues from MCPS & Baldwin Elementary. Michelle touched hundreds of lives through her counseling troubled children at school and the Vacation Bible School lessons and her multiple mission trips through Manassas Baptist Church. Michele is survived by her Husband Robert Barse, Children, Justin, Sydney, Jacob & Sean, Mother Junette, Kirksey, Aunts MaryAnne Sanford, Lela Moore, [list of surviving family members and their relationships] and preceded in death by [list of deceased family members]. A funeral will be held on February 28th at Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Road at 4PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute. The family wants to thank everyone for their love and support during this time.

Michelle Cowin-Gantz

September 29, 1967 - February 6, 2026