Mary Rowan

Rochester: She played serious Scrabble and rarely lost at Jeopardy. She threw great parties. Mary Jean was the Della Street of Rochester from the 40s to the 90s, working in several downtown law offices.



After 85 years of generous and gracious living, Mary Jean Rowan, the mighty matriarch, died Friday at the Jewish Home of Rochester. She goes to reunite with her heartthrob and husband, Bob Rowan, who died in 1981.



Born to Paul J. and Mary Veronica Guilfoyle Burke in 1929, six of Mary Jean's siblings died before her; two remain, Michael Burke and Sharon Miller.



Mary Jean's proudest legacy are the children and grandchildren who loved her deeply: Colleen Dunham, Paula and Randy Page, Marty and Kathy Rowan, Terry Rowan, Maureen and Paul Cassarino; Christine Waikiki, Mary Dolloff, Christopher Page, Timothy Page, Sarah Rowan, Courtney Gramza, Jessica Rowan, Tim Cassarino, Lynn Cassarino; Kainoa and Alana Waikiki, Luke and Ian Dolloff, William Page, KJ Gramza, Alison and Colin Cassarino.



The family extends special thanks to Nancy, Rose, and all the people at the Jewish home who cared for her with such compassion and enthusiasm.



Mary Jean's going-away party will be Friday, January 9, at 1 PM at Barnard Exempts, 360 Maiden Lane, preceded by a Mass at Holy Cross Church, 4492 Lake Avenue, at 11 AM. Memorials may be made to the 4Walls Project/Journeys of Solutions, PO Box 28, Webster NY 14580.