Ida Mae (Grubbs) Rowan

Ida Mae Rowan was born on June 11, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA., a hard worker and fighter. Her efforts were always on full display, never going unnoticed, especially when she gave it her all recovering from two strokes in 2019. Despite the hardships of her ongoing recovery, she kept going. While doing her best, her positive attitude shined bright, pushing the struggles away. That positive attitude, although a huge part of her personality all of her life, her laughs and smiles brought joy to all in her life and to those she encountered. Just one of her quick one-liners or jokes were enough to make anyone feel good.

Her ability and willingness to fight that she portrayed was due to her faith in God and compassion for others, particularly her family. Growing up she lived with her parents in Philadelphia and spent time with her Grandmother, Burkhart in Virginia, who was a big influence, and then there was her husband, Thomas J. Rowan (deceased), whom she married at the age of 18 on Sept. 6, 1947 in Philadelphia and had to stay strong while with him in North Carolina while he was serving for the Marines, which came after they’ve been married for only seven years, but fortunately their time in North Carolina was only for a year, then they were able to move back to Philadelphia together. Finally, her compassion continued to grow with the birth of her three children, Donald (deceased), Rosemary, and Linda. This compassion blossomed as she was blessed with grandchildren, her Grandson, Jimmy Henderson, Son of Rosemary and Jim Henderson. The compassion that her daughter, Rosemary and Son-In-Law, Jim showed for their Son, Jimmy born with spina bifida, strengthened her compassion for family, which then carried on to her granddaughter, Miranda Colwell, daughter of Linda Rowan Colwell and James Colwell. The times shared between Grandmother and grandchildren, that connection was special.

This compassion for people made her a hardworking individual in her school and work life, a loving Wife in marriage, a strong Mother, and a loving Grandmother. This exceptional, strong-will, she would attribute to her strong German heritage. However, the love she shared, well that came from her. Maybe it’s something she learned from her Grandmother Burkhart, “You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over you, but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair.” Whatever quote or proverb she lived life by, she’d want you to know that if you asked how she feels, she would tell you with both hands. Ida Mae Rowan passed away on Friday, October 23^rd, 2020. She is survived by her two daughters, Rosemary Henderson and Linda Rowan Colwell, along with her two grandchildren, Jimmy Henderson and Miranda Colwell.

A Memorial Service for Ida will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM, in All Saints Episcopal Church, Loney & Frontenac Streets, Phila., PA 19111. The interment service was held privately.

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