Pamela Jane Rowen

1934 - 2018

Pamela Jane Rowen

Arlington, TX

This is the story of Pamela (Pam) Rowen. Pam was an extraordinary woman who was, and always will be, loved, missed, and cherished.

Her story began on May 16, 1934, the oldest child of Robert and LaVerne Henson of Grand Island, Nebraska. Along with siblings Cheryl and Neal she moved from city-to-city living in Peace River, Canada; Denver, Colorado, Joplin Missouri and several places in between.

Apparently with all the moving around she missed driver's education class but excelled in literature and the arts and graduated from Auburn High in 1952, after which she continued her education at Peru College in Nebraska.

She soon met Robert Rowen, and in spite of crashing his new Buick into the house, he married her and they celebrated 64 years of marriage during which time she crashed several other cars into garage walls. Among her other wonderful characteristics, it was his love for her beautiful brown eyes, warm smile, and quick wit that enabled him to overlook her deficient driving skills.

His position in the construction industry caused the family to move several more times, and by the early 60's there were 10 more cities and the birth of three daughters, Stephanie, Robin and Tracey. She became the relocation specialist, finding new schools, new doctors, and packing and unpacking each house. The local library was our video store while mom's entertainment was embroidery and needlepoint. She was also an avid reader, and through her we learned to love books as well.

By the late 60's mom threw caution to the wind and much to the dismay of our dad, she found a job! It wasn't easy, as nearly every year we moved to a new city in a different state and mom had to start over again. In addition to running the household, mom spent 35 plus years in the insurance industry. She was a dedicated employee, earning the friendship and respect of her colleagues and customers.

She loved lilacs and violets but hated sunflowers, which she considered weeds. This stemmed from having to pick them out of cornfields in Nebraska. She loved collecting cookbooks and recipes, although cooking was not her strong suit. To this day none of us will eat tuna casserole.

Mom was smart; very smart. We always wanted her to try out for Jeopardy, convinced we would be rich if only mom could get a chance. The problem was, even though mom was smart, she hated chemistry and there was always some question about the elements.

Mom was an excellent bridge player and member of the Arlington Duplicate Bridge Club. She was short of becoming a Life Master, not due to lack of skill, but because she lost her eyesight to macular degeneration.

Also, a member of Newcomers, mom often partnered with dad at the bridge table, albeit with mild trepidation, since we all knew dad could play the hand but could not bid.

After 35 moves it was time to settle down and though Texas seemed like the most unlikely of places, mom and dad retired in Arlington, Texas. She enjoyed her Mini Schnauzers as well as the Women's Club of Arlington. She cherished the companionship of these women who made it possible for her to continue to travel and experience new adventures.

Mom found her true calling when she became a grandma. She was the best of grandmas to her three grandchildren; Lexie, Courtney, and Robert. She would perm their hair (without parental permission), get manicures with them, take them to camp, watch the same movie over and over again, go to every school performance, and tutor them.

She had come full circle from being crowned the Auburn, Nebraska 1952 homecoming queen to watching every high school halftime show.

To all of her children and grandchildren she was the most beautiful person we knew, both on the inside and outside. We will miss her smile, her laugh, the easy way about her, but not her cooking or driving.

Every challenge became an opportunity for our mom, as she not only discovered all she could be in life, she also encouraged us to be all we could be as long as we did it with honesty and with proper grammar.

Mom did not play an instrument, but she never saw a parade she did not love or a marching band she did not like. The temperature did not matter. Mom was always up for a parade. Guess what mom; there are parades all over the country this week, and they are especially for you!

We were fortunate to spend the last days with mom at home, holding her hand and listening to her favorite movies. We will miss you and love you forever, mom.

Pam Rowen is predeceased by her husband, Robert D Rowen, and parents Robert W and Laverne M Henson.

She is survived by her daughters:

Stephanie A Rowen, Arlington, Texas

Robin D Rowen, Ph.D., Knoxville, Tennessee

Tracey L Stone, Arlington Texas

Grandchildren:

Lexie Montoya, Calabasas, CA

PO1 Courtney Campodonica USN, San Diego, CA

Robert Stone, Arlington, Texas

Great Grandson:

Dylan Svardberger, Calabasas, CA

Brother:

Neal S Henson, San Diego, CA

Sister:

Cheryl and brother-in-law William Farrell, Ithaca, NY

A private service will be held at a later date.