Obituary for Mary Rowlands
Mom was born in Marystown on Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula on April 8th, 1932.
Raised by her grandmother, Elizabeth Drake, she grew up with her first cousin and best friend Maggie Fitzpatrick. They were as close as sisters and spoke with each other almost daily.
Mom met the love of her life, Roderick Rowlands at a dance in Newfoundland and they married a short time later on a September morning in 1956 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairview (Halifax).
The fishing industry brought them to Lunenburg. They would go on to have five children, four boys and later in life a beautiful little girl. Married to a fishing captain who spent many weeks at sea each year was not always an easy life. Raising four boys was a job and a half, but mom was always able to ensure that we were looked after and minded our manners too! Many a night when the winds howled, and the rain or snow pelted against the windows, Mom would sit next to an old Philips radio with a marine band on the dial with its yellow glow providing a dim light in the room. She would listen with great anticipation for the static sound of Dad’s voice through the speaker, just to reassure her that he was okay. We always knew when Dad was on his way home from sea, she would go into “high gear” baking bread, biscuits, pies, and date squares. And being true to her Newfoundland roots, corned beef and cabbage was always a staple, even with a Christmas Turkey! The times were good as she made a house a home but as life unfolds, there is always a mix of good and bad.
When she lost her husband to illness in January 1981, her life was turned upside down, and then she endured the loss of her youngest son six months later when David Peter Rowlands was killed in a car accident at age 16. Her second son Brian James Rowlands died 2018. One of the greatest gifts that helped her get through these troubled times was when her only daughter (The surprise baby was born in 1970). On behalf of the family, as the eldest of Mom’s kids, I want to say a special thank-you to my sister.
Rosemary came along later in life, there was reason, part of God’s plan, and that was a great blessing.
Her love and companionship to Mom throughout the years made both their lives so much richer and happier. Rosemary has been a gift to mom, as they shared a caring and special companionship through both good, and difficult days.That is what makes a family strong, put simply, love is willing the good of the other, for the other. The legacy that Mom leaves behind is this: Her children, and their children’s children, who live on to continue the story.
She is survived by her eldest son Deacon Rod Rowlands (Leslie Ann), her third son Alan John Rowlands (Donna) and by her only daughter, Rosemary Elizabeth Smith (Jake). Grandsons, Aaron John Rowlands (Carly), Adam James Rowlands (Amber), Sean Andrew Rowlands (Sacha), granddaughter Amanda Jane Rowlands. Great grandchildren, Kaylee Elizabeth Rowlands, Hazel Albertine Rowlands and Everett Alan Rowlands. Cousin and best friend, Maggie Fitzpatrick, Marystown, N.L. and daughter in-law Valerie Rowlands Lunenburg.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Capt. Roderick Rowlands and sons, David and Brian.
Mom’s kindness and her tender love will be with us all forever. Thanks be to God.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m. at St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church, Lunenburg, Archbishop Martin W. Currie, officiating. Reception immediately following at Lunenburg Curling Club. Family only graveside committal will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Dr. Arthur H. Patterson Centre for Restorative Care or Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.
A special thanks to Dr. Cecilia Newton, Dr. Jeff Ratushny, Megan Scanlan and all the staff from the CRC and the medical unit at F.M.H.
Raised by her grandmother, Elizabeth Drake, she grew up with her first cousin and best friend Maggie Fitzpatrick. They were as close as sisters and spoke with each other almost daily.
Mom met the love of her life, Roderick Rowlands at a dance in Newfoundland and they married a short time later on a September morning in 1956 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairview (Halifax).
The fishing industry brought them to Lunenburg. They would go on to have five children, four boys and later in life a beautiful little girl. Married to a fishing captain who spent many weeks at sea each year was not always an easy life. Raising four boys was a job and a half, but mom was always able to ensure that we were looked after and minded our manners too! Many a night when the winds howled, and the rain or snow pelted against the windows, Mom would sit next to an old Philips radio with a marine band on the dial with its yellow glow providing a dim light in the room. She would listen with great anticipation for the static sound of Dad’s voice through the speaker, just to reassure her that he was okay. We always knew when Dad was on his way home from sea, she would go into “high gear” baking bread, biscuits, pies, and date squares. And being true to her Newfoundland roots, corned beef and cabbage was always a staple, even with a Christmas Turkey! The times were good as she made a house a home but as life unfolds, there is always a mix of good and bad.
When she lost her husband to illness in January 1981, her life was turned upside down, and then she endured the loss of her youngest son six months later when David Peter Rowlands was killed in a car accident at age 16. Her second son Brian James Rowlands died 2018. One of the greatest gifts that helped her get through these troubled times was when her only daughter (The surprise baby was born in 1970). On behalf of the family, as the eldest of Mom’s kids, I want to say a special thank-you to my sister.
Rosemary came along later in life, there was reason, part of God’s plan, and that was a great blessing.
Her love and companionship to Mom throughout the years made both their lives so much richer and happier. Rosemary has been a gift to mom, as they shared a caring and special companionship through both good, and difficult days.That is what makes a family strong, put simply, love is willing the good of the other, for the other. The legacy that Mom leaves behind is this: Her children, and their children’s children, who live on to continue the story.
She is survived by her eldest son Deacon Rod Rowlands (Leslie Ann), her third son Alan John Rowlands (Donna) and by her only daughter, Rosemary Elizabeth Smith (Jake). Grandsons, Aaron John Rowlands (Carly), Adam James Rowlands (Amber), Sean Andrew Rowlands (Sacha), granddaughter Amanda Jane Rowlands. Great grandchildren, Kaylee Elizabeth Rowlands, Hazel Albertine Rowlands and Everett Alan Rowlands. Cousin and best friend, Maggie Fitzpatrick, Marystown, N.L. and daughter in-law Valerie Rowlands Lunenburg.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Capt. Roderick Rowlands and sons, David and Brian.
Mom’s kindness and her tender love will be with us all forever. Thanks be to God.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m. at St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church, Lunenburg, Archbishop Martin W. Currie, officiating. Reception immediately following at Lunenburg Curling Club. Family only graveside committal will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Dr. Arthur H. Patterson Centre for Restorative Care or Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.
A special thanks to Dr. Cecilia Newton, Dr. Jeff Ratushny, Megan Scanlan and all the staff from the CRC and the medical unit at F.M.H.