MARIE JOSEPHINE ROWLEE's Obituary
Marie McKittrick Rowlee
October 10, 1933 - May 2, 2023
Miami, Florida
Marie Josephine McKittrick Rowlee, a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away in the comfort of her home, with her children by her side, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 89. The only child of the late William and Rosina McKittrick, she was born at Victoria Hospital, and baptized at Gesú Catholic Church, in historic Miami. Known as “Maria” in her youth, she attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, where she formed enduring bonds of friendship and learned valuable lessons from the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine. She was an accomplished classical pianist and enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons at Miami Beach with her parents and friends. When her father, a World War I veteran and Miami Herald pressman, died prematurely from cancer, Marie, then 16, took a night job as a long-distance operator with the local telephone company, setting the foundation of her strong lifelong work ethic.
She attended Barry College (B.A. ’55), where she majored in Spanish, minored in English and Secretarial Science, made lifelong friends, and benefitted from the teachings and tutelage of the Adrian Dominican Sisters whose motto she lived by: “first to rise and last to retire.” After graduation, she taught Secretarial Science courses and worked in the Registrar’s Office at Barry, where she met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Rowlee, when he enrolled in evening classes open to men. They wed in 1962 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and had four children. They were married for 44 years and she cared for him during his long illness until his passing in 2006.
For 43 years, Marie cherished her role as bookkeeper at Plymouth Preschool in Coconut Grove, retiring at 80. The positive, nurturing environment and meaningful interactions with colleagues, parents, and students at Plymouth brought her much joy and fulfillment. An active member of St. Hugh Catholic Church for many years, she enjoyed singing in the church choir. Shelling along Ft. Myers Beach in summertime, and family trips to Paris, Barcelona, Asheville, and Phoenix were especially memorable. She was devoted to her children and made many sacrifices for their benefit. She actively supported their academic and extracurricular activities at West Laboratory Elementary School and Coral Gables Senior High School. She gave them her love through the gifts of music, time, wisdom, and experience.
Strong, independent, resourceful, and meticulous, Marie did things her way on her own, without fanfare or attention. Her actions spoke louder than her words. Never one to complain or burden others, she did her best with what she had, always strived to be useful and helpful, and never gave up. She faced life’s challenges with the same grace and perseverance she applied to all things she undertook. Obstacles along the way never stopped her from living a full, positive, and productive life in service to those around her. She took delight in simple pleasures: music, ice cream, coffee, orchids, Bingo, word games, jigsaw puzzles, cooking, baking, afternoon strolls in nature, and gatherings with loved ones. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and a loyal friend to all who knew her.
She will be remembered for her patience and determination, kind heartedness, generosity, and loyalty to loved ones. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, John. She is survived by her children, Michael (Julie), Christine, and James (Jeanne); daughter-in-law, Eva; and grandchildren, Madison, Ashley, and Matthew.
The family expresses its appreciation to her nephews and nieces, Wilbur, Jr., Jimmy, Melissa, and Meriann, for their steadfast love and support. The family also thanks her dedicated team of caregivers, Komal, Marieta, Yaimara, Loicys, Jubina, Juan, Veronica Orona-Samms, and the entire Vitas hospice staff. Thank you for caring compassionately for Marie and giving her the love and support she needed. She embraced life and stayed strong and true to herself until the end. We will forever remember her graciousness, dignified appearance, and warm, sweet smile.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Hugh Catholic Church, 3460 Royal Road, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, immediately followed by a reception at the Bayshore Club, 3391 Pan American Dr., Miami, FL 33133. Please consider a donation in her memory to the St. Hugh Catholic Church music program or Plymouth Preschool scholarship fund.
Van Orsdel Funeral and Cremation Services, www.vanorsdel.com
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