Rowden
Jessie Rowden was born June 18, 1926 in Hanna to Tom and Nellie Stubbs. Jessie was the second eldest of seven children.
She was raised on a farm/coal mine 15 miles south of Hanna and she received her education at Parr School.
When Jessie was 16, her mother passed away and her and Louise took over looking after their siblings. Jessie was their guardian angel.
On May 10, 1946 Jessie married the love of her life, Robert Rowden.
Once married, they moved to the Summerville farm where they welcomed son, Larry and daughter, Terry. In 1954, they moved to the Rowden farm to make it easier for Larry and Terry to attend school.
Jessie and Robert enjoyed 52 years of marriage before his passing in 1998.
While on the farm, Jessie was very busy milking cows, tending a large garden and working as Robert’s secondhand man. She was active in her community, being involved with many groups such as the Golden Hills ladies club, Bullpound community club, and curling club. Jessie also took a special interest in 4-H, beef.
In the summer the house was always full. Their nephews and nieces loved nothing better than to be at the farm with Aunt Jessie and Uncle Robert.
Their farm was a magnet to a lot of their friend’s children as well.
In 1982, Jessie and Robert moved to Hanna. Shortly after their move to town, she became employed at East Central Gas Co-op while Robert still farmed from town.
Jessie kept very busy in town with volunteer work as well as her job.
The Hanna Hospital Auxiliary was most endearing and for 25 plus years she worked tirelessly on this committee.
She also was involved with the Hanna rodeo committee, ladies and seniors curling and held many posts in the Order of the Royal Purple.
For many years she was the manager, score keeper and head cheerleader for the Hanna senior slo- pitch team.
Jessie and Robert also coached the junior and ladies fastball teams out of Bullpound, Ab.
In between all her volunteering, Jessie loved spending time with her grandchildren, quite often taking them camping and fishing.
Jessie and Robert loved travelling. Going across Canada and into the States with Dick and Betty Gall, to Alaska with Ron and Ruby Havell and many camping trips with the ball team were just a few highlights.
After Robert’s passing, Jessie continued to travel to places like Mexico, Jamaica, a couple cruises, house boating at the Shuswap with most of the family for her 75th birthday (of which she felt she should go down the slide just because everyone else was), as well as many bus trips with Terry or friends.
Jessie was predeceased by her husband Robert, her daughter Terry Elliott, her parents Tom and Nellie Stubbs; siblings, Louise Milligan, Ruby Polych, Jack Stubbs, Richard Stubbs, Doug Stubbs and Russell Stubbs.
She is survived by her son, Larry (Joanne), grandchildren; Laurie (Rick) Botha, Wayne Elliott, Wade (Phyllis) Rowden, Tracy (Tim) Mercer, Diane Bannister, Marie (Ryan) Bannister.
She is also survived by great grandchildren Krista Botha, Trent Botha, Christina Rowden, Aiden Mercer, Jayda Mercer and Mckenzie Karg.
Jessie left behind numerous special friends who were very dear to her.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Sept., 28, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the First United Church in Hanna, with Reverend Leila Currie officiating.
Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Hanna Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. Box 23, Hanna, Ab., T0J 1P0.
Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Hanna entrusted with arrangements. 403-403-854-2758.
