Alice Margaret Rowena Meehan
With gratefulness for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, the family of Alice Margaret Rowena Meehan wish to announce her peaceful passing following a brief illness. Rowena was born in Revelstoke on October 5, 1913, and passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2008, having recently celebrated her 95th birthday.
This fall, Rowena decided it was no longer safe for her to live independently and she moved to Clearwater to live with her son David. Her stay was not to be long, however, as a sudden illness required hospitalization after only three weeks. Rowena passed away peacefully in the Kamloops Hospice Home with family by her side.
Part of two pioneer Revelstoke families, Rowena lived 92 of her 95 years in Revelstoke. On Feb. 14, 1942, she married Leslie “Gus” Meehan and together they raised daughter Margaret, born in 1949 and son David, born in 1950. She enjoyed participating in various outdoor activities - such as walking, huckleberry picking, hiking, gardening, walking, snow shoveling and more walking! For many years she was an able piano accompanist for many groups such as school choirs and the Seniors Choir. She especially enjoyed accompanying Gus and Margaret as they sang solos and duets at church and community events. Her more sedentary activities included a love of reading which necessitated frequent trips to the Revelstoke library. She was up to date and interested in local and world events until her passing.
Rowena was a well-known teacher in the local school district, having taught successive generations of Revelstoke students. Except for a couple of years early in her career when she taught in the Golden area, Rowena taught in Revelstoke, in several different elementary schools and to various grades. For the bulk of her career, however, she taught Grade 3 at Selkirk Elementary, retiring at the age of 60.
Rowena’s life was constantly guided by her deep faith in her Lord Jesus. She followed His example in serving others in whatever ways she could, in a quiet and unobtrusive manner. She valued her community, and extended love to her family and many friends in practical ways by her faithful prayers, encouraging words and numerous thoughtful deeds. She was an active member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church for 66 years, serving as church organist for approximately 55 of those years.
Rowena is survived by her loving family: daughter Margaret (Bob) Plewes; son David (Donna) Meehan; her grandchildren Janna and Gordon Plewes; Charis (Ashley) Rempel, Jeremy (Lisa) Meehan and Chris (Kelly) Meehan; her great granddaughter Eden Rempel; her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Gerry McIntosh and several nieces and nephews. Rowena was predeceased by her husband Leslie “Gus” Meehan, parents Donald “Dan” and Margaret “Madge” McIntosh, sister Muriel “Tot” Snyder and daughter-in-law Yvonne Meehan.
A service in memory and celebration of her life will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Thursday, December 18, at 1:30 pm, officiated by the Reverend Canon Ray Bray. Refreshments and an opportunity for friends and family to share memories will follow the service. Interment will be a private family function. Memorial arrangements are in care of Brandon/Bowers Funeral Home. Friends wishing to honor Rowena’s memory may consider a donation to St. Peter’s Anglican Church or the Revelstoke District Health Foundation, Box 2421, Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 2S0.
The Meehan family would like to sincerely thank all those in the community of Revelstoke who have loved and cared for Rowena, especially over these most recent years.