Obituary for Arline Lemieux Rowling
ROCKLAND - On Friday, November 1, 2019, Arline L. Rowling, beloved mother of nine children passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88, at her home in Topsham, Maine surrounded by and supported with the love of her family and her God.
Arline was born on December 29, 1930 in Augusta, Maine; the youngest child of Odile Castonguay and Arthur Lemieux. Nicknamed "Popeye" as a kid, she was always strong and hard working. She was a 1948 graduate of Cony High School and went into the field of office and secretarial work after school. She married Frank Russell and they had two children, who were later adopted by her second husband, Philip Rowling Jr of Rockland, the love of her life, and who she married on August 23, 1957. Together they celebrated 58 years of marriage and family life, adding seven more children to their family. While Phil served in the US Navy; Arline "held down the fort" as a strong, independent Navy wife and mom.
Arline was well known as a kind, friendly, and caring lady who was quick to strike up a conversation with anyone she met. She did all sorts of crafts and was especially known for creating beautiful quilts for her family members and close friends. She was a superstar volunteer with the Navy Relief Society donating hundreds of crocheted baby layettes. Arline was also a wonderful baker and cook and was named the number one cook in New England by Yankee magazine in 1992. She loved gardening, traveling, camping, and spending time with her family. She and Phil volunteered their time in many endeavors including the Oyster River Range, Rockland Lobster Festival and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Fair, and were active and involved members of the churches they attended over the years, which included, Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church, South Hope Community Church and most recently Living Hope Presbyterian Church in Brunswick.
Arline was pre-deceased by her husband Phil in 2015, two of her infant children: Paul and Paula, and her brother, Roger Lemieux. She is survived and will be greatly missed by her brother Conrad and his wife Barbara Lemieux of South Portland; her sister Delores Mason of Augusta; her daughters, Debra Sewell of St Petersburg, FL; Pamela Grant and her husband Stephen of Topsham; Penny O’Connor and her husband Michael of Gilford NH; Priscilla Monson and her husband David of Haverhill MA; her sons, Conrad Rowling and his wife Cheryl of Pleasant Hill CA; Philip Rowling III of Brunswick, Patrick Rowling and his wife Julia of Greenville, SC, as well as 15 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A private graveside burial service will be held at the Seaview Cemetery in Rockland, Maine.
Friends and family are invited to reminisce and celebrate Arline's life during an informal reception on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home’s reception facility on 104 Limerock St. Rockland.
Family, friends, food, laughter and love were her favorite things, and this is how we want to remember and honor her.
To share a memory or condolence with the Rowling family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com.
Arline was born on December 29, 1930 in Augusta, Maine; the youngest child of Odile Castonguay and Arthur Lemieux. Nicknamed "Popeye" as a kid, she was always strong and hard working. She was a 1948 graduate of Cony High School and went into the field of office and secretarial work after school. She married Frank Russell and they had two children, who were later adopted by her second husband, Philip Rowling Jr of Rockland, the love of her life, and who she married on August 23, 1957. Together they celebrated 58 years of marriage and family life, adding seven more children to their family. While Phil served in the US Navy; Arline "held down the fort" as a strong, independent Navy wife and mom.
Arline was well known as a kind, friendly, and caring lady who was quick to strike up a conversation with anyone she met. She did all sorts of crafts and was especially known for creating beautiful quilts for her family members and close friends. She was a superstar volunteer with the Navy Relief Society donating hundreds of crocheted baby layettes. Arline was also a wonderful baker and cook and was named the number one cook in New England by Yankee magazine in 1992. She loved gardening, traveling, camping, and spending time with her family. She and Phil volunteered their time in many endeavors including the Oyster River Range, Rockland Lobster Festival and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Fair, and were active and involved members of the churches they attended over the years, which included, Thalia Lynn Baptist Church, Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church, South Hope Community Church and most recently Living Hope Presbyterian Church in Brunswick.
Arline was pre-deceased by her husband Phil in 2015, two of her infant children: Paul and Paula, and her brother, Roger Lemieux. She is survived and will be greatly missed by her brother Conrad and his wife Barbara Lemieux of South Portland; her sister Delores Mason of Augusta; her daughters, Debra Sewell of St Petersburg, FL; Pamela Grant and her husband Stephen of Topsham; Penny O’Connor and her husband Michael of Gilford NH; Priscilla Monson and her husband David of Haverhill MA; her sons, Conrad Rowling and his wife Cheryl of Pleasant Hill CA; Philip Rowling III of Brunswick, Patrick Rowling and his wife Julia of Greenville, SC, as well as 15 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A private graveside burial service will be held at the Seaview Cemetery in Rockland, Maine.
Friends and family are invited to reminisce and celebrate Arline's life during an informal reception on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home’s reception facility on 104 Limerock St. Rockland.
Family, friends, food, laughter and love were her favorite things, and this is how we want to remember and honor her.
To share a memory or condolence with the Rowling family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com.