Frances A. Rowell

Frances A. (Roeder) Rowell of South Portland passed away August 9, 2023 at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth, after a period of failing health, with family by her side.

Fran was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and raised in Wakefield, daughter of Frank and Rugh Roeder.  She was a graduate of Wakefield High School.  Fran married Warren A. Rowell, Sr, the love of her life, on January 22, 1955.  Together they raised 10 children, and fostered several others over the years.  Fran was a “domestic engineer: until her children were grown and then she worked as a baker.  At one point, she owned her own baker, Traditions, in North Conway, NH.

Fran was also an accomplished seamstress and an expert knitter.  She made clothes for herself and her children, and later made doll clothes for her granddaughters.  She knitted for her entire family and also knitted prayer shawls with other knitters at her church.  Fran loved to make and do things to help others.

Fran is survived by her brother Paul Gerrish Sr, 7 of her children; Jamie Webber (Thomas), Warren A Rowell (Kelly), Mary Kate Healy (Sean), Ann Jackson (George), Andrew Rowell (Patricia), Matthew Rowell, Christopher Rowell (Shelley-Jo), 30 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by husband of 54 years, Warren, 3 children; Terry Sue Neil, John F Rowell, and Peter J. Rowell, grandson Benjamin Jiang, granddaughters Virginia Berry and Brandy Verge, and her great granddaughter Addison N. Cross.

Memorial services will be held for family and friends in the Fall

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