Florence Lawton Rowell

Florence Rowell a community leader, mother, and wife, died in the presence of two of her loving children, Jim and Lucy Rowell, on Tuesday, January 6, 2009. Florence, a San Francisco native, was born in 1930, to Florence and John Lawton. She grew up in the Forest Hill-West Portal District with her twin brother John, and sister Mary. She graduated from Convent of the Sacred Heart High School. While she was attending the Lone Mountain campus of the University of San Francisco, she met her future husband Chester Rowell, to whom she was married for over 50 years. Chester and Florence settled in Fresno to raise their seven children. She was a very active community leader, volunteering for many local organizations including, the Girl Scouts, the Candlelight Guild, PTA, Saint Helen's Parish Council, Junior League, LARCS, the Fresno Philharmonic, Little League Baseball, and the Fresno Grand Jury. A high point for Florence was being named Mother of Year in 1978. Chester and Florence were not only avid bridge players but were also known to entertain frequently. As their children moved onto college, they began trekking around the world visiting countries including Italy, France, Israel, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Brazil, and Japan. In the last few years Florence lived in San Francisco and Temecula. The Rowell family would like to extend a special thanks to Florence's bridge group who continued to send her happy updates and cards during her last days and to all the friends and neighbors (especially the Mays and Doris King) who kept an eye on her. Florence is survived by her children and their spouses, John and Kathleen Rowell, Jim and Cindy Rowell, Lucy Rowell, Matt Rowell and Jack Sanchez, Richard and Evie Rowell, Mary Anne Rowell and Bruce Irving, and Mary Frances and John Yamanaka. Florence is also survived by her great-grandchild, grandchildren and their spouses, Damien, Aida, Mark, Marty, Alex, Samantha, Mike, Lisa, Jeff, Ashley, Chris, and Serena. A Funeral Services will be held at Lisle Calaveras Chapel on Saturday, January 10, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Belmont Memorial Park. Donations in Florence's honor may be made to Poverello House, P.O. Box 12225, Fresno, Ca. 93777; or to Friends of the Fresno County Public Library, P.O. Box 4523, Fresno, Ca. 93744-4523. LISLE FUNERAL HOME 1605 'L' Street Fresno, Ca. (559)266-0666