Sandra M. Rowley

Sandra M Rowley, age 80, of Manitowoc died on March 2, 2026 at home.

Sandy was born in Milwaukee on November 6, 1945 to Alexander and Gertrude (Butkiewicz) Kubach. She was raised in Milwaukee, graduating from Mercy High School in 1963.

Upon high school graduation, Sandy was employed as an Executive Assistant for the City of Milwaukee Department of Building Inspection. It was there that she met her future husband Richard (Dick) Rowley. Sandy and Dick were married on June 12, 1971 at St. Roman Catholic Church. They were a devoted couple and enjoyed 31 years of marriage until Dick preceded her in death on November 17, 2002.

After leaving her job with the city of Milwaukee in 1971, Sandy became a dedicated volunteer for ABLE (Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement) where she taught and transcribed textbooks into braille to enhance the literacy, dignity, productivity, and independence of the visually-impaired.

Sandy was a member of St. Roman Parish in Milwaukee for over 40 years and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc for the last 10 years. She chose Veronica as her confirmation name, inspired by the compassion St. Veronica showed by wiping the face of Jesus while he carried the cross. Sandy's life was one of compassion.

Through most of her adult life, Sandy was a devoted and tireless caregiver. She lovingly cared for her in-laws, parents, and husband ensuring their health, safety, and happiness to the end of their lives.

Sandy was a beloved aunt to her six nieces and nephews. She encouraged and supported them through all phases of their lives and was ever-present at family gatherings where she could be counted on for a listening ear, good conversation, and a quick laugh.

Sandy loved to read and travel, with favorite trips being to Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands, Hawaii, and the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. She was politically astute and a strong advocate for women's rights.

Sandy will be dearly missed by sisters Nancy Maliborski and Kathleen Weber; nieces and nephews Steve (Betsy) Maliborski, Leah (Wayne) Kimmell, Julie (Tim) Gimenez, Craig Maliborski, Dawn (Aaron) Bartel, and Connie (Ed) Weber; aunts Dolores Kubach and Virginia Panfil, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, parents Alex and Gertrude, father and mother-in-law Edwin and Verna Wirth, brothers-in-law Michael Maliborski and Gerald Weber, and other beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Holy Family Chapel at St. Adalbert Cemetery on Saturday, March 7th from 12:45 - 1:30 PM with committal service to follow led by Fr. Shijo Thomas. Entombment will follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to your favorite charity are appreciated.

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family extends our deepest gratitude to the team at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their outstanding care, with special thanks to Jeremy and McKayla for being Sandy's solace and support in her final months.