It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Rowe on December 1, 2018. Joan was born February 13, 1934 in Toledo, the only child of Clyde and Donna (Lewis) Hiser. She graduated from Whitmer High School where she made many lifelong friends.
She also graduated from Bowling Green State University where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and met her future husband, Ben Rowe. For many years Joan was a consummate homemaker, thoughtful wife, mother, and supporter of her… Read More » family’s endeavors. She was active with her children’s Scouting activities and their schools and loved family traditions, regularly hosting gatherings and holiday events at her home.
Her great love of serving others was evident in her nearly 50 years of worship at Epworth United Methodist Church. Her faith was the bedrock on which she and her late husband built their lives. Joan would say that one her greatest accomplishments was returning to nursing school at the age of 40 to receive her LPN.
She went on to work for Drs. Diller and Rench and retired from Arrowhead Plastic Surgeons. She was devoted to her patients, providing compassionate care.
Joan inherited her father’s love of gardening and spent many years in a neighborhood garden club. Following her retirement, she received her Master Gardener Certification. Joan enjoyed spending time at Devil’s Lake where her whole family would congregate.
Although she spent most of her life in Toledo, Joan also enjoyed several trips abroad to destinations including Israel, Italy, Egypt and Germany. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Debra (Paul) Symington, Kim (Dave) Comers, Ben (Cindy) and Steven (Michelle) Rowe. Joan enjoyed special times with her grandchildren, Kyle and Trisha Comers, Clay Symington, Ben, Britton, Landon and Tessa Rowe; and great granddaughter, Josephine.
Joan also leaves behind her special friend and sister-in-law, Marge Rowe; and her much-loved nieces and their families: Susan Rowe, Terri Rowe, Katie Pickens, Linda (Wayne) Harris, Dianne (Shawn) Osborn and Richelle (Ryan) Smith. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2018 in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.
) where funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 7, 2018. Burial will be at Toledo Memorial Park. The Rowe Family would like to thank the staff at Kingston of Sylvania Assisted Living and Rehabilitation for their kindness to Mom over the past several years.
Joan enjoyed socializing with her fellow residents and always looked forward events and occasions to visit with friends, both old and new. Joan also expressed a deep gratitude to the members and staff of Epworth Church. Even as she became less active over the years, they maintained their fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joan’s name are suggested to Epworth United Methodist Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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