Obituary for Evelyn Rowley
Evelyn Fish Rowley, age 92 and resident of Morris for the last 63 years, passed away at her home on 24 September 2019 after a long, debilitating struggle with Parkinson's.
Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, a brother (Roger), and her husband (James). Evelyn is survived by her brother (Ted), her sister (Judy), her children (Jed Rowley, Eileen Nicholas, and Corinne Houle); eight grandchildren (Brittany, Maddy, Brianna, Jackie, Linnea, Kendra, Bridget, and Eddie); and three great-grandchildren (Ava, Oliver, and Nico).
Evelyn was born in her parents' house on the family farm in Southington when East Street was still dirt. She attended a one-room elementary school in Southington and graduated from Lewis HS. Evelyn graduated from UCONN's dairy manufacturing program in 1949. While at UCONN she played women's basketball when it was still a club sport. After graduation, Evelyn worked as a veterinary assistant at the original Mattatuck Animal Hospital, where she met her husband, a deliveryman at the time. Evelyn and her husband after their marriage moved to Morris where they raised three children.
Ever the straight-talking, no-nonsense Yankee, Evelyn was active in the community from the start, participating in Friendly Service, the Salvation Army, the Republican Town Committee, and in many various roles in town government, including a term on the Board of Selectman. She occasionally substituted at the James Morris Elementary School.
Evelyn was a Justice of the Peace and served on the Republican State Central Committee. She sold Memorial Day poppies for the Legion Auxiliary Post 173. For many years she judged dairy products at the Bethlehem Fair. She could drive a team of horses and milk by hand. Evelyn was particularly proud of her substantial role in the creation and early management of the Eldridge Senior Housing facility in Morris. In large part, Evelyn’s life was characterized by an unwavering focus on identifying the right thing to do and then getting it done.
After sustaining her husband through his illness and until being limited by her own, Evelyn was a passionate fan and devoted attendee at UCONN Women's basketball games and attended many Final Four events with her cousin Jim, the Teddy Bear, and her UCONN family.
Evelyn’s family would like to recognize and thank the many tender, helping, and caring hands that assisted her in her illness.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 25 South Street, Litchfield. Burial will follow in East Morris Cemetery, Morris. Calling hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Evelyn’s memory to the Litchfield County 4-H Foundation. These can be sent to “Litchfield County 4-H Foundation”, 843 University Drive, Torrington, CT 06790.
Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, a brother (Roger), and her husband (James). Evelyn is survived by her brother (Ted), her sister (Judy), her children (Jed Rowley, Eileen Nicholas, and Corinne Houle); eight grandchildren (Brittany, Maddy, Brianna, Jackie, Linnea, Kendra, Bridget, and Eddie); and three great-grandchildren (Ava, Oliver, and Nico).
Evelyn was born in her parents' house on the family farm in Southington when East Street was still dirt. She attended a one-room elementary school in Southington and graduated from Lewis HS. Evelyn graduated from UCONN's dairy manufacturing program in 1949. While at UCONN she played women's basketball when it was still a club sport. After graduation, Evelyn worked as a veterinary assistant at the original Mattatuck Animal Hospital, where she met her husband, a deliveryman at the time. Evelyn and her husband after their marriage moved to Morris where they raised three children.
Ever the straight-talking, no-nonsense Yankee, Evelyn was active in the community from the start, participating in Friendly Service, the Salvation Army, the Republican Town Committee, and in many various roles in town government, including a term on the Board of Selectman. She occasionally substituted at the James Morris Elementary School.
Evelyn was a Justice of the Peace and served on the Republican State Central Committee. She sold Memorial Day poppies for the Legion Auxiliary Post 173. For many years she judged dairy products at the Bethlehem Fair. She could drive a team of horses and milk by hand. Evelyn was particularly proud of her substantial role in the creation and early management of the Eldridge Senior Housing facility in Morris. In large part, Evelyn’s life was characterized by an unwavering focus on identifying the right thing to do and then getting it done.
After sustaining her husband through his illness and until being limited by her own, Evelyn was a passionate fan and devoted attendee at UCONN Women's basketball games and attended many Final Four events with her cousin Jim, the Teddy Bear, and her UCONN family.
Evelyn’s family would like to recognize and thank the many tender, helping, and caring hands that assisted her in her illness.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 25 South Street, Litchfield. Burial will follow in East Morris Cemetery, Morris. Calling hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Evelyn’s memory to the Litchfield County 4-H Foundation. These can be sent to “Litchfield County 4-H Foundation”, 843 University Drive, Torrington, CT 06790.