She was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Julius and Helen (Kolesnik) Bilash as the first of five children. She attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and graduated in June of 1971 with honors. After graduation she married her loving husband James R. Rowan (Jim). She was the beloved mother of Robert Rowan and Colleen (Scott) Opalka. She was the proud grandmother of Rachel and Matthew Opalka. Miriam was the older sister of Kenneth (deceased) Bilash, Dr. Timothy (Roya) Bilash, Colin (Ann) Bilash, and John Bilash.
Miriam and Jim were married for 51 years and lived in Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Miriam’s favorite hobby was cooking and she collected hundreds of recipes (which she tried out on Jim and her family) as well as many cookbooks. They have greatly enjoyed camping, boating, and traveling together. Miriam was active in numerous church and community activities such as St. Michael Christian Services, Meals on Wheels and Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers.
A visitation for Miriam will be held Monday, September 19, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road in Clinton Township. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Michael Catholic Church, 40501 Hayes Road in Sterling Heights. Friends may visit the church on Tuesday beginning at 10:30 am.
For friends and family who are not able to attend church, the funeral mass will be live streamed from the Resurrection Funeral Home Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for Miriam are appreciated to St. Michael Catholic Church, Meals on Wheels of Macomb County, and American Cancer Society.
