Ellen Phelps Rowland

Ellen Phelps Rowland passed away peacefully at age 67 at home on December 19, 2024, after a year-long battle with duodenal cancer. She was born in Niagara Falls, NY to Margaret Orr and John Phelps. Ellen attended Wells College for two years before transferring to the University of Rochester where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Biology in May 1979 and honored as a Phi Beta Kappa. There she met her future husband Steve Rowland, who graduated the year before and was commissioned in the Navy. Ellen became a hospital medical lab technician after college. They married at the end of his first sea tour in January 1982 and lived in Virginia, California, Rhode Island, Maryland and Japan during Steve's 27-year Navy career. Ellen excelled as a Navy wife (sometimes referred to as the hardest job in the Navy) and was often a single parent while Steve was underway and on numerous deployments. They lived in Fairfax Station since 1998. Ellen enjoyed Jazzercise for over 40 years, and it was a major part of her weekly routine after moving to Fairfax Station. Her Jazzercise family included some of her very best friends. Ellen enjoyed "making memories" at Lake Anna, gardening, baking, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, carrying on her father's annual Kentucky Derby party tradition, and quilting baby blankets for each of her newborn grandchildren. She was also a long-time member of the The Washington-Tokyo Women's Club. She was a woman of many talents who excelled at everything she tackled. Ellen believed in giving back and typically volunteered for one or two organizations at a time to include the Pohick Regional Library, Lorton Community Action Center, Workhouse Arts Center, and Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society Ball Committee.

She was predeceased by her parents and older sister Lorna. She is survived by her husband Steve; children John (Katelyn), William (Hallie) and Margaret Kimble (David) and grandchildren Emma, Ellie, Jack and Johnnie; sister Sandra Fischbein (Paul), nephew Joel and niece Samantha. Special thanks to Sandra for her untiring support during Ellen's last year, traveling from California to Virginia nearly every month to help take care of her sister and support Steve.

Ellen's priority was always her family. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother and Nana. Ellen was very proud of the adults her children became and loved taking care of them and her grandchildren. She felt so fortunate that all were in the local area. Ellen was loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A private memorial open house will be held on January 4 for family and friends. Donations may be made in Ellen's memory to the American Cancer Society, one of her favorite charities.