Obituary of Barbara Rowland

Barbara Jean Rowland passed away on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 in the Daysland Hospital, at the age of 75 years. She was predeceased by her parents, George and Jean Cook. Barbara was born on November 15th, 1932 in the town of Delburne, Alberta. She attended Elementary and Junior High school in Delburne and completed her high school at Garneau in Edmonton (1948-1950). She began her banking career for the Royal Bank on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton. Barbara met her husband-to-be, Joseph Albert Rowland, while they were playing for a dance at the Conjuring Creek Hall in the spring of 1950. Barbara and Joseph were married on September 17, 1952 and resided in Edmonton until 1958. During that time, Barbara and Joseph were blessed with three children, Doug (1954), James (1955), and Laurie (1957). In 1959, the family moved to Mulhurst (Pigeon Lake) where Ab (Jospeh) was employed with Texaco Canada (Bonnie Glen). Over the next several years, the family grew to five children with additions Gwen (1964), and Pamela (1968). In 1972, Barbara returned to Banking at Bank of Montreal in Thorsby, Alberta and successfully balanced her role of banking and homemaking for the next 10 years. Barbara played piano for the St. James church in Mulhurst and was an active member of the Mulhurst Community League. She also was an active member with the Thornsby Bowling League. After leaving Mulhurst, Barbara lived her retired years at Providence Place in Daysland, Alberta. She loved spending time with family, playing scrabble, cards, listening to music, reading, sewing, baking, and canning. Her passion was playing the piano and having family sin-alongs, and gardening. Her many talents and interests will live on in her five children, and fourteen grandchildren. Barbara's kind hearted and loving ways will be missed but held forever in the hearts and minds of her family and friends. Funeral services were held on Monday, September 29, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., from Knox United Church in Daysland, with Rev. Kathleen Taylor officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to Providence Place, Daysland