Elizabeth Rowan

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Elizabeth (Betty) Rowan, 95, an award-winning oil painter from Castleton Corners, died Friday in the Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where she had been residing for about nine years.

Born Elizabeth Browne in Hartford, Conn., she was raised in Brooklyn and Manhattan before moving to Verona, N.J., for three years. She moved to St. George in 1938 and to Castleton Corners in the 1960s.

She began her career as an administrative assistant at the former Staten Island Hospital in New Brighton and later at Corn Products Corp., Manhattan. Mrs. Rowan then worked as an executive secretary for the Sucrest Sugar Corp., retiring in the mid-1980s

She graduated from Commercial High School, Manhattan.

She was a parishioner of St. Peter's R.C. Church, New Brighton, and volunteered with the Ladies Altar group and took part in parish musical productions.

In addition to oil painting, Mrs. Rowan loved music, dancing and walking her dog in Silver Lake Park. She also liked exercising and she had a great sense of humor. She was an accomplished bridge player and played competitively for many years.

Her husband, Martin, died in 1997. She was also preceded in death by two grandchildren, Bobby Rowan and Raymond McKee.

Surviving are two sons, David J. and Robert M.; two daughters, Janice A. Caruselle and Tracy E. McKee; nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10:45 a.m. in St. Teresa's Church, Castleton Corners. Arrangements include cremation.