Obituary of Gladys Anne Jarrett

Peacefully passed away at the Extendicare Maple View Nursing Home with her family by her side, singing to her, on Monday, April 17, 2023, in her 94th year. Beloved wife of her late husbands Donald Rowswell, Marion Mims, and Wilfred Jarrett. Loving mother of the late Mayor John Rowswell (Donna), Dianne Heikkila (Royce), and Daniel Rowswell (Nancy). Grandmother of Joel Rowswell (Ikeda), Donald Rowswell, Patricia Merling (Grant), Jody Mallette (Andrew), Aja Heikkila, Harmony Heikkila, David Rowswell, and Rebecca Palahnuk (John). Great Grandmother to Keliyah & Kylan Rowswell, Cash & Colbie Rowswell, Damian & Dawson Merling, Amelia, Alexa, Akira, Ariella, Azalia, Aurora, Axl, & Avyana Mallette, Julian & Levi Wilson. Daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Roski. Sister to Joseph Roski (Bonnie), William Roski (late Patricia), late Josephine Chartrand (late Louie), late Mary Paquette (late Edgar), late Victoria Hurd (late Hilbert), late Edward Roski (Terry), and late Jack Moreau (Sue). Gladys will be remembered by her extended family - cousins, nieces, nephews, and as well as her friends. She always treated her friends like family.

Gladys had a heart of gold and was a hard worker. She worked at Algoma Steel. She was the founder of the Heart & Stroke Foundation - Algoma Region. She actively participated in the Senior Singers group. Gladys made sure everyone around her had her one-of-a-kind slippers that she had knit for many years. She would feed everyone with her baking - especially her famous vanishing oatmeal cookies, zucchini muffins, and strawberry-rhubarb preserves with ice cream. She also enjoyed singing, gardening, watching golf and wheel of fortune/jeopardy, supporting her Church - Zion Lutheran. Making pedaheh - perogies, as well as spending time with her family and dear friends. Gladys was a social butterfly; always left everyone with a smile. She cherished the good ol’ days living down the line at the Rowswell Farm in Port Findlay, on the water, with her beloved family. She always called it God’s Country.

A family service will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church (189 Upton Road) on Wednesday, May 24 beginning at 11:00 am. A private family burial at Port Findlay Cemetery will be set at a later date. Memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or ARCH - to support local, would be greatly appreciated. A heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Extendicare Maple View Nursing Home for the care and compassion shown to Gladys and her family. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Road, 705-945-7758). 

God’s Garden

By Melissa Shreve

God looked around his garden and found an empty place

He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest

With the help of his angels they flew you to your heavenly place

God’s garden must be beautiful, he always take the best

He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain

He knew that you would never get well on Earth again

He saw the road was getting rough and the hills too hard to climb

He closed your weary eyelids and whispered “Peace be Thine”

It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone

For part of us went with you the day God called you home.

Gladys now rests in peace, singing with the angels