Obituary of Grace Rowe

Grace Rowe, 96, died after a short illness on August 26, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Capt. F. Walter Rowe, Jr.  She is survived by her three children; Melissa Rowe of San Diego, CA, F. Winsor Rowe of Olympia, WA, Heather Rowe and her husband, Michael Ciulla, of Essex, CT – four grandchildren; Cdr. Barr Kimnach USN and his wife, Rachel York of San Diego, CA; Lindsay Kimnach of San Diego, CA, Erica Kimnach Grey and her husband, Tom Grey, of Arcata, CA and Michael (MAC) Ciulla of Portland, ME. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren; Jake Kimnach, Grace Kimnach, Walker Grey and Allie York.

Grace graduated from Pratt High School and Middlebury College. She served in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE during WWII. She was past President of Nathan Hale Memorial Chapter of DAR and a member of the Mayflower Society. She volunteered for Literacy Volunteers and the Essex Library.  While living in England, she helped educate British women on Americans and our culture for the English Speaking Union.

Her life with her husband provided opportunities to live in many countries including Trinidad, Columbia, Panama, Guatemala, and the United Kingdom. 

She was an avid reader and passionate about the arts including her love of playing the piano. She loved the view from her home overlooking the Essex Yacht Club and her beloved Connecticut River. She doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren with whom she developed special and close relationships.

Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of her favorite charitable organizations such as National Public Radio, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, The Grace Rowe International Travel Award at the SCSU Foundation of Southern CT State University, or your local library.

Condolences and special memories may be sent to the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home website at rwwfh@sbcglobal.net.