Mildred Gulbenk

GULBENK, Mildred Joy Cowan, Mildred Joy Cowan Gulbenk, beloved wife, mother, and community leader, died Sunday, July 6, 2008. She was preceded in death by her mother, Monica McGinnis Joy, and father, Thomas Harvey Joy; sister, Monica Joy Bramblett and brother Thomas M. Joy Jr. Born into the Joy Floral family, June 12, 1925, she grew up riding her horses on the large family estate in East Nashville. In her youth, she worked as a floral designer for the Joy Floral Company, and all of her life she provided floral arrangements for receptions, friends, and special events in Nashville. She attended Peabody Demonstration School and Ward Belmont High School. Graduating from Ward Belmont Conservatory, with a major in voice. She furthered her operatic studies at The Julliard Opera School in New York, along with famed artist as Patrice Munsel and Roberta Peters. She was a valued singer in several local choirs. Mildred served two terms each as president of Belle Meade Plantation and Belmont Mansion. She was also president of Cumberland Heights Friends and donated many hours to Cheekwood Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee, APTA, The Nashville Symphony, Opera Guild, and other community organizations. In 1985 she was invited to join SMOTJ Sovereign Military Order Of The Temple Of Jerusalem, by Sir Gordan Sell and Sir James Hamilton, who were dubbed knights in this international charitable group. She was later given the distinct honor as Chevalarese Grand Croix. She was always interested in things with an English connection, having visited England over 50 times acquainting herself with English History, Castles, Cathedrals, and especially "Country Homes and Gardens" speaking often on those subjects, and conducting tours of her beloved England. She earned the order of The Golden Shell for completing pilgrimage routes from Canterbury to Roselyn Chapel in Scotland and throughout France Paris, Amion, Toulouse, and onto the Holy Land and Jerusalem. She entertained many world famous people in her home, including Lady Margaret Thatcher and was entertained in England by Lady Thatcher at the House of Commons. She was a founding member of St. George's Episcopal Church, and served as its first choir member. She was also a member of the Sojourners Bible Class at First Baptist Church and was an ordained priest of the Apostolic Catholic Church of Antioch. She was also a member of the Centennial Club, The Nashville Shell Club, The English Speaking Union, Belmont Mansion Assoc., Cheekwood, Belle Meade Plantation, Dubious Diggers Garden Club, and Brookmeade Garden Club. Mildred was well known for her spiritual beliefs and has been called the premier "Ghost Buster of Nashville", of which she always pronounced the dictum-"No Charge and No Guarantee". She is survived by her husband, Roupen Gulbenk; daughters, Mary Cowan Jackson, TN, Anne Byrd Cain Brentwood, TN; son, Donald Cowan Jr. Nashville, TN; grandsons, Austin and Trevor Pennington Franklin, TN; stepdaughter, Betty Robert Balentine Atlanta, GA Memorial Service Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 1 p.m. at St. George's Episcopal Church. Visitation 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reception to follow after services. Memorials may be made to The Choir Program of St. George's Church, 4715 Harding Rd., Nashville, TN. Arrangements at WEST HARPETH FUNERAL HOME 6962 Charlotte Pike 352-9400 www.harpethhills.com