Rowena W. James

1927 - 2020

Rowena (Welsh) James, 92, of Bristol and formerly of the Plantsville section of Southington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Ingraham Manor. She had been the loving wife of the late Courtland M. James for nearly 75 years. Born on March 3, 1927 in Famingdale, Maine to the late Leroy and Ethel (Williams) Welsh, she had been a longtime Bristol resident. Rowena worked at Marlin Rockwell for over 30 years. After her retirement, she became a licensed real estate agent and worked for Liberty Mobile Home Sales. Rowena married the love of her life in 1943 and was a hard working devoted wife and mother. She loved music and as a young girl, had the opportunity to sing in the Billy Graham Choir with her church. Rowena is survived by two sons, Courtland James Jr. of Batavia, Ohio and Gary James and his life partner Cindy of Bristol; 3 grandchildren, Jason and Matthew James and Jennifer Poruk; 5 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren She is also survived by two brothers, Roy Welsh and his wife Mary of Clinton, Maine and William "Billy" Welsh and his wife Wendy of Freeport, ME and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 2 daughters, Sheree James and Lori Poruk; a granddaughter, Ashley Thompson and three sisters, Margaret Phyllis, Eleanor James and Mildred Slocum. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rowena's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Calling hours will be held before the service from 3 – 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial, alongside her husband, will be held in the springtime in Gardiner, ME. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.