Arolyn Bartlett Rowe

Arolyn Rowe passed away Jan. 4, 2025, at Spokane Health & Rehabilitation in Spokane, WA. Arolyn was born Feb. 24, 1924, to Leon and Lizzie Houston in Haverhill, MA. She graduated from Haverhill High School, and soon afterwards took her first job as the bookkeeper for a large dairy company nearby. In 1946, she married Richard "Dick" Rowe of Newburyport, MA, following his return home after serving in a US Army artillery unit in Europe during WWII. Ten years later, they packed their three young children, along with most of their belongings, into a new Pontiac station wagon and drove nearly 3,000 miles across the country to Millwood, WA, to begin their new life as "Westerners."

Arolyn worked at the C. S. Graham food brokerage firm as a secretary for 7 years, and was later hired as Office Manager for the Spokane branch of Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. In addition to her career, she was an active member of the Spokane Insurance Women's Assoc., a BSA Cub Scout leader, a Girl Scout Brownie leader, and a long-time member of the Millwood Community Presbyterian Church where she served as teacher, Deacon, and Sunday School Supt. She was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan, rooting for the West Valley Eagles, UW Huskies, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Mariners, Seahawks, and of course, the Spokane Indians and Chiefs, attending their games whenever she could.

In 1979, Arolyn seized an opportunity for early retirement, and pursued her love of travel as she and Dick journeyed throughout the US, eventually visiting all of the lower 48 states, plus Hawaii. During the winters, she continued with her league bowling, thoroughly enjoying the competitive and social aspects of the sport for more than 60 years, bowling well into her 90's -- and often in multiple leagues! To help fill in during the "off-season", Arolyn began golfing with teammates during the summers as a member of Valley View, Liberty Lake "Nine Holers", and Esmeralda golf clubs.

Arolyn is survived by her three children; James (Claudia) Rowe, Judith (Russell) Stone, John (Geri) Rowe, all of Spokane, 7 grandchildren; Robert (Nicole) Stone, Michael (Marina) Stone, Brian (Kelly) Rowe, Douglas (Rebecca) Rowe, Sharon Rowe, Joshua (Hillary) Rowe, Joy Rowe, 15 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Richard, her beloved husband of 71 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Arolyn's name can be made to Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, or other charity of your choosing. A private family memorial service will be held later at Washington State Veteran's Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA.