Rowan Morse

Rowan Howard Morse, 71
FALMOUTH - Rowan Howard Morse passed on May, 1, 2018, after a short but intensely fought battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving and devoted family.
Rowan had celebrated her 71st birthday on Nov. 2, 2017. She was born in Glen Cove, N.Y. to Mary Rowan and John Hamilton Howard, attended high school in Princeton, N.J., and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1968.
On May 30, 1970, she married the love of her life, Jeffrey Clement Morse, whom she met while attending UVM.
Rowan loved Maine. She and Jeffrey bought their first and only house in Falmouth in 1974, and have lived there ever since. On July 12, 1975, her life changed forever in a distinctly positive manner with the birth of the triplets.
Stories of joy, trials, humor, tribulations, learning, and shared experiences of raising these three sons would fill volumes. The arrival of each grandchild spurred her on, as she continued to share and teach on "Tuesdays with Grandma and Buppa."
She was always focused and principled, one who achieved success through determination, purpose, and hard work. Her professional career in Portland began with the Model Cities program, a brief 16-year hiatus to raise her three sons, then delving into the real estate profession with Coldwell Banker, and culminating with 24 rewarding years working at Town & Shore Associates, LLC.
She considered involvement within the community a mandatory responsibility not to be taken lightly. Her interest with public education led her to serve on the Falmouth School Board for four years, including one year as chairman.
She also participated on the Board of Friends of the Blaine House Preservation Group. The latest voluntary memberships were as a governor appointee to the Maine Board of Dental Examiners, and with the Maine Arts Commission.
Rowan had a strong love for the arts. She spread her passion early on as a docent at the PMA. She filled her home with the works of local Maine artists. She took painting classes off and on, and practiced her calligraphy. She frequented the Portland Stage for many years and was very supportive of the arts in Maine.
She embraced politics, whether local, state, or federal, and was not shy about sharing her position and advocating for her beliefs.
She enjoyed traveling, tennis, golf, and being on the water. She was a member of both the Portland Yacht Club and the Portland Country Club. She favored golf, took many lessons, practiced diligently, went on golf excursions, both foreign and domestic.
She will always be remembered as a caring, loving, hardworking and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who gave all to her family. She will be sorely missed.
Rowan was predeceased by her brother, James Scott Howard; and her parents, Mary Rowan and Jack Howard.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Morse, with whom she has shared, weathered, and enjoyed the last 50-plus years; and her sons: Justin Hamilton Morse, married to Kerry Ann, with grandchildren, William Murphy, Hannah Jean, and Tyler Hamilton; Matthew Jackson Morse, married to Karen Simard, with grandchildren, Ella Jackson and Boden Roke; and Ehren Thacher Morse, married to Lisa Diane, with grandchildren, Sofia Mae and Isabel Field. Additionally, she is survived by her elder brother, John H. Howard and his wife, Sharon; along with several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Rowan's life will be held at Ocean Gateway, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, on Friday, May 11, 2018, from 2-3 p.m., with reception from 3-5 p.m. to follow.

We would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine's In-Home Program for their incredible support.
Therefore, in lieu of flowers,
we suggest a gift to
Hospice of Southern Maine.
Gifts may be mailed to HSM at:
180 US Route One
Scarborough, ME 04074
or made online at: hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/give