Jeanne Elinor Rowe

ROWE, Jeanne Elinor Jeanne Elinor Smith-Warrick Rowe 79 yrs of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed suddenly in her west side Kalamazoo home on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. She is survived by her older brother of Ann Arbor, Michigan, 3 children 2 sons and 1 daughter, all of Kalamazoo, Michigan, 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her eldest brother who had resided in Westland, Michigan, and by both of her parents, formerly of Iron Mountain, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Jeanne was raised in the Keego Harbor/Orchard Lake area in the southeastern area of the state. She later became a permanent resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan where she remained, raised her three children, and was an active, contributing member of the community. She attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan where she pursued a major in English. She had been a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and an active member of the local congregations of St. Augustine & St. Monica churches until health issues eventually prevented her regular involvement and attendance. She was a strong, supportive, full-time working mother of three and an on-going student; frequently continuing & expanding her interests and education through various courses offered at the local colleges. She enjoyed her position of Office Manager, spanning many years. She was a dedicated employee and, throughout her career, offered her services to three prominent Kalamazoo businesses. She was also a very active, long-standing member of her local chapter of Quota International, a charitable foundation in pursuit of assisting and enhancing the quality of life for the hearing impaired as well as for disadvantaged women and children in communities around the world. Jeanne's family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude for those that have already extended their condolences, and especially to those that have offered their time and effort in assisting them during this difficult time of loss. Her children are planning an intimate memorial for immediate family and friends, offering those that were close to her the chance to mourn, heal, and celebrate Jeanne's life, and to engage in a joyful, personal sharing of her memory. This service will be followed by a memorial gathering and ash-scattering ceremony with extended family at a later date.