Rowena May Forde

Rowena May Forde, 83, of Tacoma, Washington, peacefully passed away on February 18, 2026, surrounded by loved ones after a difficult battle with congestive heart failure.

Rowena was born on October 5, 1942, to William and Velda Brown. She spent her childhood growing up in Ojai, California.

After graduating from Nordhoff High School in 1960, Rowena began raising her family and spent many years as a dedicated stay-at-home mother. In 1975, she moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for several years before retiring in 2004.

Rowena had a deep passion for art and pottery and wished to be remembered for her dedication to her craft.

Throughout her life, she was also an avid gardener with a special love for rose bushes.

Rowena was preceded in death by her parents, William and Velda Brown.

She is survived by her two brothers, William and Kenneth; her children, Christine, Matthew, Amber, and Adrienne; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting something beautiful in your garden in her memory.