Mary Louise (Refieuna) Rowe, 82 (pictured at right from the 1957 Spy), was born in Kenosha, WI on December 20, 1938 and died under the loving care of her husband of 59 years, Dr. Gary James Rowe, and her children, Erica (Rowe) Lovett and Sean Rowe, on Friday, May 7, 2021 in their home in Redding, CA after a long and courageous fight with metastatic breast cancer.

Mary met Gary at the UW-Madison, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Children's Literature in 1960.  The two were married in Kenosha on July 7, 1962.  Her career changed several times, teaching Kindergarten as Gary finished Marquette Medical School, as a homemaker when their family moved to Dallas for Gary's Parkland Hospital medical internship followed by his Stanford medical residency in Palo Alto, then to the Philippines and Arizona for his time serving in the Air Force, and eventually to his private neurology practice in Redding.  As Erica and Sean grew up, she was an avid volunteer and substitute teacher at their school, Sacred Heart Elementary in Anderson, and once their nest was empty, Mary worked full-time in Gary's office as the Bookkeeper where together they grew his private neurology practice until their retirement.

During their time in the Philippines, Mary and Gary traveled extensively throughout southeast Asia, which sparked their lifetime love of exploring South America, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.  Her greatest delight in life, however, was being a grandmother.  Lovingly referred to as "Nonnie" by her family, she and Gary ("Papa") spent the vast majority of their free time visiting and caring for their five grandchildren who live in the Bay Area.  She loved nothing more than playing with her grandchildren and spending as much time with them as possible.  Mary was incredibly supportive of her family and friends, always encouraging and always loving.  She was exceedingly generous with her time, talent, and love.  Not once during her illness did she complain, give up hope, or stop fighting.  She was, and still is, an inspiration.

Mary is survived by Gary, Erica, Sean, son-in-law Brice Crane Lovett, daughter-in-law Eva Marlene Hanrahan, and five grandchildren:  Austen Crane Lovett, Aliza Rowe Lovett, Maxwell Crane Lovett, Ian Hanrahan Rowe and Fiona Hanrahan Rowe.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Magdalena Refieuna; sister, Antonette (Refieuna) Durkee; and brother John Refieuna, Jr.

Mary was buried on May 25, 2021 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Redding in an intimate graveside ceremony with just the immediate family. There are no words to describe how much she is loved and how much she will always be missed.

Published in Redding Record Searchlight on September 28, 2021

https://www.redding.com/obituaries/rrs018238