Mrs. Marilyn E. Monaco (Rowell) died peacefully at Melech Hospice House in Tampa, FL on September 29, 2022 at the age of 92. She was visited by family returning from Hurricane Ian Evacuation moments before her passing.
Marilyn is survived by two sons: John (Lisa) of Tampa, and Mark(Susan) of Rensselaer, NY, four grandchildren: Jennifer of Saratoga, NY, Jessica of Philadelphia, PA, Alexandra, of Gainesville, FL and John Edwin Jr., of New York City, two step - grandchildren Hannah and Landon of Tampa and two great-grandchildren: Caroline and Parker, as well as 10 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband John (2017) and her parents, two sisters: Audrey and Barbara and a brother: James. , as well as husband John’s seven siblings.
Marilyn was born on July 10, 1930 in Franklin, Delaware County, New York to Edwin and Mildred Rowell, an active dairy farming family with generations of roots in their small community. She graduated from Oneonta State Teacher’s College in 1952 with a BA in Education. She met her future husband John, on a blind date, a few weeks after beginning her first teaching assignment in Schenectady, NY, where John worked for General Electric Co. They married on July 17, 1954 and settled in Schenectady. Over the next three years, the couple welcomed two sons into their home and Marilyn set about teaching them the importance of family, hard work and the comforts of home, holidays and celebration. Her children remember her as kind, compassionate, family centered, and as an amazing cook. Her Christmas Eve celebrations at their home were legendary. Marilyn and John remained happily married for 63 years.
Not only was she known for her spectacular teaching abilities, with former students contacting and thanking her years after they left her classroom, but she was an accomplished musician, playing at least three different instruments as well as voice. After retirement she sang in the “Sweet Adelines” barbershop style chorus. Another of her great passions was golf, the pinnacle of her accomplishments being a “hole in one” she achieved in 1994 at Stadium Golf Club in Schenectady. After retiring in Florida, she continued league play, and in Gainesville accomplished the distinction of being the oldest member of her ladies golf league at age 80.
She was raised as Protestant, later converted to Catholicism, her husband’s faith tradition. In the last years of her life, she accompanied her son and daughter- in -law to Sunday services at Hyde Park United Methodist church where she greatly enjoyed the sermons and the traditional organ and choir music.
A memorial service is scheduled for October 22, 2022 at Blount Curry MacDill funeral home in Tampa at 4PM with a reception to follow. Marilyn’s son John will officiate the ceremony with the assistance of other family members as well as Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans of Hyde Park UMC. All are welcomed to attend and celebrate Marilyn’s life. Her remains will be finally interred beside her husband at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Schenectady, NY, in 2023. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Melech Hospice House at11125 N. 52nd St.. Temple Terrace, FL 33617. The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Allegro Senior Living and The Estate at Hyde Park for their kind and compassionate care and dedication.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5