Mary Lou Rowen

Mary Lou Rowen SUFFOLK - Mary Lou Rowen, 77, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at her home in Suffolk Jan. 27, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born in Emporia, Kan., in 1931, the first of 11 brothers and sisters. Mary spent her early years growing up in Topeka, Kan., until she met and married her beloved husband, Harold Rowen, in 1953. Harold spent nearly 50 years with the Woolworth/Kinney Shoe Corp. and had varied management responsibilities which moved them to California, Illinois and New Jersey. Mary loved the outdoors and travel, and was able to visit the world with her husband. Mary is survived by her husband, Harold, their six children and nine grandchildren: Michael James Rowen of Virginia Beach; Margaret Ann Hyatt, mother of Amanda and Garrett Hyatt of Virginia Beach; Joan Marie Rowen, mother of Philip and Miriam Knepp of Hillsborough, N.J.; Ronald Mark Rowen of Cane Ridge, Tenn.; Roger John Rowen, father of Rachael Rowen of Union, N.J.; and Janet Kay Glendinning, mother of Danny, David, Dustin, and Sara Glendinning of Conway, S.C. A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1404 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach. The burial will follow in Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hdoliver.com.