Harriett Lenoir Cowhey

Harriett Lenoir Cowhey

A famed Tucson Musician, Pianist, Organist, Music Director, Orchestra Conductor, Entertainer, Teacher, and of course, an Amazing Mom.

Harriett had her final curtain call of life on October 29, 2025, at the age of 88. She is survived by her children Tim, Katie and Dee Dee; her sister Suzi, niece Kelly, and nephew Robert. Proceeding her is Neil Cowhey (husband), and Murry Cowhey (Son).

Harriett was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on January 11, 1937 to Murry Thomas Tennyson and Harriet Gibson Johnston. Her Mother was also a musician (Piano/Organ), who began teaching Harriett the piano at the age of 5. This launched Harriett’s lifelong passion and dedication to the music world.

Harriett graduated with honors from Southern Methodist University in 1959 with a BA in Sacred Organ. She studied with the renowned teacher Dora Poteet Barclay and was invited to study with one of the most revered teachers in Paris. After college she traveled to Beirut and Germany on an internship where she worked on the Army base in the USO shows and met her future husband, Neil Cowhey, a tap dancer and choreographer. Together they had four children. Her husband Neil lovingly called them, Tim Tim, Kay Kay, Mur Mur and Dee Dee. In 1967 they moved their family from Thompsonville, Connecticut to Tucson, Arizona.

After Harriett arrived in Tucson, she acquired a music teacher position and commuted daily to Benson, Arizona. Soon after, her music activities were focused throughout Tucson. She played piano accompaniment for ballet classes at the UofA Dance Department, the France Academy of Dance and The Tucson Metropolitan Ballet.

Harriett was involved in many musical ventures in Tucson, including musical productions at the "Playbox Theatre" in Trail Dust Town such as, The Boyfriend, Annie Get Your Gun, Fiorello, The Music Man, and Oliver. She appeared in local nightclubs with a group who called themselves the “Starlighters”. A significant career highlight was her performance as “Hurricane Harriett”, (and what a force to recon with!), playing piano for can-can shows at Old Tucson’s “Red Dog Saloon”. Playing this character led her to a debut in the film Buckeye and Blue.

Harriett is best known for her musical direction with Southern Arizona Light Opera Company (SALOC) founded in 1976. Not only did she direct the choir, and play the piano for all the rehearsals, but she found herself catapulted into conducting the orchestra, starting with My Fair Lady in 1980. Her talents extended even further when it came to musical arrangements, writing music for the creative directors to fit their vision of a scene and/or song and dance. From this point on, Harriett became SALOC’s resident orchestra conductor and musical director. There were several newspaper articles whose drama critics were intrigued to see a Female orchestra conductor. In the 1980’s, it was very rare to see a Female orchestra conductor. She fortuitously broke the glass ceiling in Tucson theatre productions.

Harriett worked with familiar stars like, Patrice Munsel in Mame, Ken Berry in Cabaret, Anne Jefferys in the Sound of Music, and Broadway star, Betty Buckley in Gypsy. From the inception of SALOC, Harriett was the Music Director and/or Orchestra Conductor for well over 50 musicals including; Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, Man of La Mancha, Cinderella, Oklahoma, Paint Your Wagon, South Pacific, 1776, Guys and Dolls, Peter Pan, Evita, and the list goes on. Revered and feared was her cry of, “Watch the Stick”, echoing through the SALOC halls.

In the years following SALOC, Harriett’s musical journey put her on a path of enhancing her faith with the joy of music. For 25+ years she played the piano and directed the choir at Mount Zion Lutheran Church. She happily shared her talent of playing music and singing to the congregation. She also participated in the Bell Choir, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She was also involved with High Holy Days and played piano at the Temple Emanu-El.

Harriett loved all musical instruments. She not only played the piano and organ, she played the harmonica, ukulele, harp, flute, and many others. She had a variety of other interests such as, being an avid non-fiction reader, a big fan of movies and theatre, and having a strong love to play games such as Mahjong, cribbage and backgammon. Her daughter Dee Dee played many games with her and said, “You just don’t think you’re ever going to win! She is brutal!”

Harriett loved her faith, music, family, and life overall. She wanted to share it with the world!

Bravo Mom!!!

A celebration of Harriett’s life will be held on her birthday, January 11, 2026 at 12.00 noon, at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 4520 W. Ajo Way Tucson, AZ 85746.