Rowena Mae Grass
GRASS, Rowena Mae, 90, BRIDGEWATER, at Scarborough, January 5, 2016. Interment will take place in the spring at Corner Cemetery, Bridgewater. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill.
BRIDGEWATER – Rowena Mae Grass, 90, went to be with her Lord and Savior January 5, 2016. She died at The Gosnell Hospice House, Scarborough, after a brief illness. She was born May 2, 1925, in Blaine, the daughter of Arthur and Irma Terrell, and sister to Charles Terrell, Gerald Terrell, Norma McCrum, Kathleen Griffin, and Greta Terrell.
Rowena graduated from Aroostook Central Institute, Mars Hill, 1943. After high school, Rowena had several jobs. She volunteered at the hospital, sold clothes at Adelman’s, as well as working at Hutch’s Drug Store. She always said she sure did make the soda fountain shine. She was always meticulous and thorough.
After marrying Louis in 1948, Rowena devoted her life to being a full time wife, mother and homemaker – a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She used all her creative abilities to enrich the lives of her husband and children.
Rowena was a master seamstress. She sewed wardrobes for her daughters, made doll clothes, leisure suits and everything in between. She was also a real pro at mending; no alterations were ever beyond her expertise, even if she had to rely on “a middle of the night inspiration” on how to make some of those challenging repairs. She was an expert knitter and made many mittens and socks, but the sweaters she knit for all of the children and grandchildren were her forte.
She was an excellent potato picker with her greatest day picking 130 barrels.
Rowena had such a charitable spirit, whether cooking for the sick, housing a missionary guest, or knitting lap robes for nursing home residents. She always displayed her gift of gracious hospitality and kindness.
Even with her busy schedule, Rowena found time for a favorite pastime of gardening. You would often find her in the garden at daybreak, enjoying the beauty and serenity of a new day as she meticulously made her garden weed free, and later you’d find her in the kitchen whipping up delicious goodies with her trusty KitchenAid. She was most famous for her brown bread rolls.
Rowena was a woman of great strength and courage, a Godly woman who lived out her faith in word and action. She began each day reading her Bible and praying for her family; she truly exemplified Proverbs 31. She attended East Ridge Church, Mars Hill.
Each year, Rowena looked forward to spending time with her family at the Cabin on Whitney Pond in Oxford, ME, and her annual trips to Doylestown, PA, and Myrtle Beach, SC.
Rowena is survived by her sister, Norma McCrum; four children: Cynthia and her husband, Ronald Dunn of Oxford, ME; Victoria and her husband, Glenn McGrath of Doylestown, PA, and their children, John, Benjamin, Michael and Hannah, and one great-granddaughter, Cora Faye; Cathy and her husband, Marc Milliard of Scarborough and their daughter, Maren; and Neal and Sharon Grass of Bridgewater and their children, Christopher, Danielle, Corey, Blake and Logan, and two great-grandsons, William Anthony and Caden Bell. Rowena was predeceased by her husband, Louis; and sons, Gregory and Christopher.
Rowena’s favorite Bible verses: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is everlasting strength.”
Friends and relatives called from 12-1 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at East Ridge Union Church, East Ridge Road, Mars Hill, where a funeral service was held 1 p.m., with Pastor Lawrence Beals officiating. A reception followed the service at the church. Interment will take place in the spring at Corner Cemetery, Bridgewater.
Rowena is lovingly remembered, sorely missed, but is now rejoicing in heaven!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163. Arrangements in care of Duncan Funeral Home, 8 Main Street, Mars Hill. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
