LORRAINE ANN PARKHURST ROWE

AUGUSTA -- Lorraine Ann Parkhurst Rowe, born May 6, 1935, second daughter of the late Harold Parkhurst, and Helen Ward Farrington, passed over on Friday, Aug. 23, 2013 at Grey Birch Long Term Care of Augusta, where she had been in residence since April, from extensive complications because of a stroke. Her death was attended by loving family members. She is now present with the Lord, Halleluiah! Lorraine grew up and attended schools in Palermo, and then Hallowell. She worked at the Hallowell Shoe Factory for 16 years, and then became a stay-at-home mom. Lorraine married the late Verne "Sonny" Allen Rowe Jr., born May 6, 1925, on March 22, 1952, and they had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before his death on Nov. 25, 2002. They had seven children and resided in the Hallowell-Farmingdale area. Every year there was a triple birthday celebrated; Lorraine, "Sonny" and their second daughter, Cheryl, interestingly shared the same birth date of May 6. Lorraine was also predeceased by her eldest son, Verne Allen "Pug" Rowe III, July 28, 1952-Dec. 29, 2012.

Mom was an avid reader; she loved murder mysteries, dramas with good plots and novels with a touch of humor. Mom really enjoyed playing cribbage, poker and rummy royale with family and friends; and she could never pass up purchasing lottery tickets! She was a good homemaker, including baking breads, cakes, doughnuts and cookies. She also loved to sew, crochet and knit; and she made her own and her children's clothes in their early years, and she made sweaters, mittens, hats and afghans for needy families. In her quiet equanimity, mom was a true matriarch to her family. Our beloved mother impacted our lives with her simple and matter-of-fact approach to life, her quirky wittiness and sense of humor, and genuine kindness, and especially the courage with which she faced the challenges of raising seven rambunctious children on a small budget in an older home.

Her loving spirit still fills us all and her dear memory shall forever hold an indelible place in our hearts. The Lord has now called her home, where she is strong and healthy once more. "The voice of weeping shall be no more heard" (Isaiah 65:19). "The glorified (like Mom) will weep no more, for all outward causes of grief are gone. There are no broken friendships nor blighted prospects in heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution and slander, are unknown there. No pain distresses, no thought of death or bereavement saddens. They weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified. No evil heart of unbelief prompts them to depart from the living God; they are without fault before God's throne and are fully conformed to God's image. Well may they cease to mourn who have ceased to sin. They weep no more, because all fear of change is past. They know that they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are shut in. They dwell within a city which shall never be stormed; they bask in a sun which shall never set; they drink of a river which shall never dry; they pluck fruit from a tree which shall never wither. Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted, and blessedness shall coexist with it. They are forever with the Lord. They weep no more, because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything which they have not in possession. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire, will, all the faculties, are completely satisfied; and imperfect as our present ideas are of the things which God has prepared for them that love the Lord, yet we know enough, by the revelation of the Spirit, that the saints above are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fullness of delight, is in them. They bathe themselves in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite beatitude. That same joyful rest remains for us. It may not be far distant. Ere long the weeping willow shall be exchanged for the palm-branch of victory, and sorrow's dewdrops will be transformed into the pearls of everlasting bliss. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (C.H. Spurgeon)

Now, in the presence of the Lord, Mom will be welcomed by her son, "Pug," and ushered into the waiting arms of her beloved husband, our dad. And we know she will be enthusiastically greeted by her "forever friend," Mary-Jane Dupont who recently passed over as well. Mom will continue to live forever in our hearts and souls, giving remembrance and happy memories of the special woman she truly was and still is to us!

Mom, you're in our hearts to stay....

It seems we're never quite prepared

for a parent to pass on... it shakes our whole foundation,

that we've built our lives upon.

Mom, all the love and courage you showed

even death cannot erase ...

and it's time to pay you tribute,

and to honor you with grace.

While our memories will remain intact,

and acceptance will come as time goes by.

Though we know the pain of loss will ease,

it's still heartrending to say "Goodbye."

So, Mom, while the Lord bids you come

"We love you" is the final thing to say.

But know a part of you will remain in our hearts,

from day, through everlasting day.

Lorraine is survived by three sons Mark and Wayne, both of Farmingdale, and Glenn (Tracy) of Palermo, three daughters Patti (Richard) Bouchard, Cheryl (Thomas) DeRaps, of Hallowell, and Cindy Webb, of Farmingdale; three sisters Marilyn (Clarence) Sirois, of Augusta, Connie Barton (Edwin Barba), of San Carlos, Calif., and Kathleen (Richard) Chapman, of Scarborough; brother Richard Parkhurst; an uncle and aunt Robert and Erma Elwell, of Unity; several cousins; 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Per Mom's wishes she will be cremated and there will be no services. Lorraine's family would like to thank the caring staff at Gray Birch and Hospice for their loving patience, kindness and support, especially in light of Mom's "feistiness"! Condolences may be sent to The Rowe Family, c/o Cheryl DeRaps, 399 Central St., Hallowell, ME 04347, where they will be shared with all family members.