Mary Lou Rowlett

Mary Lou Rowlett of Okemos, Michigan peacefully passed away at the age of 90 with her family around her on the evening of July 10, 2019. Born on September 8, 1928 to Albert (Bert) and Pearl (Taft) Roche, she was a lifelong resident of the Lansing area. She graduated in 1946 from St. Mary School and was a dedicated parishioner at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. In 1950, she married the love of her life, James H. Rowlett. They worked together to run Bollert’s Hardware in Frandor for many years, and she ran the business after his death until 2001. For them, it was so much more than a business venture, and they made it feel like home to all who worked and shopped there. She also made time to volunteer for 50 years with Mary Magdalen League at St. Lawrence Hospital, where she and her daughters were born. Her most important priority was always her family; she loved us to the fullest and always went the extra mile to make sure all of us were happy, healthy, and safe.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughters, Kris Abendroth, Karen (David) Bell, Jami (Troy) Marshall, and Lynne (Rod) Patterson; grandchildren Mindy Evans, Andrew (Jill) Abendroth, Sr., Kathryn Abendroth, Lisa (Derek) Ballard, Michael and Anthony Davis, and Elizabeth (Jesse) Playter; great-grandchildren Tyler Evans, Brianna Evans, Benjamin Jewell, Niasha Donnelly, Andrew Abendroth, Jr., Paige Abendroth, James (Monique Pierre) Abendroth, Joseph Abendroth, and Edward Abendroth; sister Rae Leece and brother John (Joyce) Roche; too many nieces and nephews to count; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Rowlett; parents Albert and Pearl Roche; sisters Rita Roche, Loretta (Lucius) Wilson, Eileen (Robert) Haule, Kathryn (Gar) McKillen, Jean (George) Scott, Agnes (Paul) Ayotte, Patricia (Aloys) Scieszka, and Nancy (Ted) Vernier; brothers Robert (Bernice) Parker, Emmett (Elizabeth) Roche, Ronald (Rose) Roche, James (Phyllis) Roche, and Gerald (Gail) Roche; and grandson Bradley Davis.

The Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Avenue, Lansing 48933 at 10:00 am, preceded by visitation at 9:00 am at that location. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1709 East Mt. Hope Avenue, Lansing 48910.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to McLaren Homecare and Hospice, 2815 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Ste.4, Lansing, MI 48910 or to any charity of choice.

Mom touched all our lives in so many special ways. She was a generous, giving soul who fiercely loved those who were close to her. So many have told us that she was a second mother or grandma to them, and they were all special to her. She would do anything to help in any situation, often exhausting herself in the process. We are grateful and proud to have this incredible, beautiful person as our mom, grandma, sibling, aunt, mentor, friend. It’s impossible to imagine our world without her, but her unconditional love and acceptance will always be there to carry us through our lives.

We would like to thank everyone who took such excellent care of Mom at Burcham Hills Rehabilitation Center, Brookdale Memory Care, and Ingham County Medical Care.