Obituary of Lillian Catherine Rowe

Mrs. Lillian Catherine Trainor Rowe was born December 16, 1920 in Albany, NY; and slipped the bonds of earthly life on May 23, 2009 at Wesley Health Care Center, Saratoga Springs, NY. She was surrounded by her loving children, William S. Rowe IV, Mark Rowe, David Rowe and Donn Rowe, and her granddaughter visiting from No. Carolina, Amy Whitner. Her daughter, Joy Ellen Rowe Leach died in 2007. She was proud of her 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, her daughters-in-law and son-in-law. Her family brought her great joy. She married her childhood sweetheart, Rev. William S. Rowe III. Having first met in the seventh grade, they graduated from Albany High School in 1939. On July 3, 1943 they were married in Reno, Nevada. Rev. Rowe died in 1992. Together they served United Methodist Churches in Rock City Falls, Midle Grove, East Galway, NY; Anderson, Change Water and Port Colden, NJ; Center Glenville, Fisher now Rotterdam UMC and for 20 years at North Main Street United Methodist Church in Gloversville, NY from which they retired in 1985. Lillian loved her role as a minister's wife and truly did serve the churches with her husband. Through the years she taught Church School, was active in the United Methodist Women groups and represented the church on the Council of Churches in the various communities. She was a member of the founding Board of Directors for Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville, and for many years served as a hospice volunteer. She also served as a volunteer in local Mental Health organizations. Lillian graduated from Brooklyn Methodist Hospital now New York Methodist Hospital in 1943 and worked as a Registered Nurse for 42 years at Vallejo Hospital, Vallejo, California, Albany Medical Center, Saratoga Hospital, Washington County Infirmary, NJ; Ellis Hospital and Nathan Littauer Hospital, Gloversville, NY. She brought a quiet, loving and compassionate presence mixed with sound, efficient nursing care to her patients and was admired and respected by her co-workers and colleagues. The family will receive relatives and friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville. A service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28th at the North Main Street United Methodist Church, Gloversville, with the Rev. Christopher Hamm and the Rev. Steven Clunn officiating. Interment will take place at East Galway Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Main St. United Methodist Church, 316 N. Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 or the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 5th Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.