Beatrice "Aunty Bea" Rowney

Beatrice "Aunty Bea" Rowney
1914-2013
Resident of San Lorenzo & Alameda
Beatrice M. Rowney died peacefully the morning of June 20th at the age of 99 at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, CA. Throughout her life, she approached each day with purpose and possibility no matter the circumstance, and was an inspiration to her nieces, nephews, and the countless children who grew up participating in the Alameda Recreation and Parks programs and playgrounds. Early in her career, she taught P.E. and organized a variety of activities at Notre Dame Academy (now known as St. Joseph Notre Dame High School.) Over the forty-two years she worked for Alameda Recreation and Parks Department, she was director at Lincoln Park and then Recreation Supervisor in charge of the day camp program, countless sports events, tennis instruction, dance classes, annual Christmas show, and many other activities and programs from 1935 -1976. After retirement in 1976, she continued her leadership role as an organizer for the Alameda Travelers Club where she coordinated trips to many countries, was in charge of a senior citizen program at Lincoln Park, and in 1995 was inducted into the St. Joseph Notre Dame High School Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Retired Public Employees Association #93 of Alameda, Adelphian Club, St. Gerard Women's Club of St. John Catholic Church in San Lorenzo, and a supporter of many charities which benefited community and youth programs.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father Abbie Susan and Bernard M. Rowney; her brothers Harold and James, and her beloved first nephew, Jimmy Jr. She is survived by her nieces and nephews Carol Locke, Susie Brookshire, Barbara Rowney, Dick Keiser, Beatrice Allan, Veronica Gross, Christopher Rowney, Jill Rowney, Teresa Dulberg, Roscoe Rowney, Mark Rowney, Melissa Rowney, twenty-seven great nieces and nephews and several great great nieces and nephews. Most important, she is survived by an entire community of people who loved her and benefited greatly from her guidance and spirit over a lifetime of giving.
Dedicated to living life to the fullest and helping others do the same, Beatrice Rowney has touched many lives. All who remember her and wish to attend are welcome to a funeral mass at St. John Catholic Church (264 East Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo) at 10 am on Monday, July 22. A private interment will follow later in the day at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Girls Incorporated of the Island City (Alameda), Mastick Senior Center of Alameda, and the Retired Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Belmont.