Judith Ann Rowean

December 27, 2018

Rowean, Judith Ann (Merritt) Judith “Judy” Ann Merritt Rowean of Portland, CT and formerly Old Lyme passed away December 27, 2018 after a long, strong and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. She was born July 28, 1949 in Sturbridge, Ma. She was the beloved daughter of the late Marion Merritt and the late George H. Merritt. She grew up in West Hartford and lived there after her marriage as well as Arnold, MD. before settling into Portland, CT. She was married for 47 years to Paul J. Rowean. She attended elementary school at St Thomas School and graduated from Northwest Catholic High School both in West Hartford. She graduated from St Francis School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She spent all of her nursing career in pediatric care. She nursed at St Francis Hospital for fifteen years and ten years at The Westminster School in Simsbury CT. Judy always put people ahead of herself and was a giver of love, always providing the highest level of care and help to everyone. Even during her struggle with Parkinson's, which forced her retirement from nursing she lived her life with grace and dignity. If you asked her how she was doing she would give you the most beautiful smile and a thumbs up. She never complained and always wanted to be a part of the activity. Family and friends were her most important cherished lifelong possessions. For over 20 years she spent her summers at Old Lyme Shores enjoying the shore with friends and family. Her best weekends were when her ten grandchildren visited to go to the beach, bringing her seashells and making homemade ice cream Sundae's at night. In 1971 Judy married her adoring husband Paul J. Rowean with whom she raised four children. They made their home for twenty years at 75 High Farms Road in West Hartford and spent summers at 29 Billow Road, Old Lyme. They recently built an in-law apartment with their daughter and son-in-law in Portland. She was predeceased by a son Paul Rowean, Jr in 1985. Judy is survived by four children: Amy Beth Dumais and her husband Brian of Portland, CT., Bryant M. Rowean and his wife Nicole of Winnetka, IL., Brandon P. Rowean and is wife Falan of Manchester, CT., and Katelyn M. Rowean of West Hartford. She leaves behind ten grandchildren: Andrew, Samantha and Tyler Dumais; Kegan, Alexander, Hayes and Heidi Rowean ; Rylee, Alexandra and Taylor Rowean. Friends and relatives are welcome to call on the family on Sunday, January 6 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT. Funeral services will be Monday, January 7 with a celebration of Christian Burial at 10:00am at St Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford. A burial prayer ceremony will follow at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Judy's name may be made to: Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131