Mary Ann Rowe

Captain Mary Ann F. Rowe, USN (Ret.) February 14, 1950 – December 21, 2014 Captain Mary Ann F. Rowe, USN (Ret.) passed away on December 21, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Washington DC after a valiant three-year battle with brain cancer. Mary Ann was born in Wilmington, Delaware (where her family lived for five generations) on February 14, 1950, the daughter of Aloysius and Elizabeth (Farren) Rowe. Educated by the Felician Franciscan Sisters at St. Hedwig School in Wilmington, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 from the University of Delaware. Upon completing Navy Officer Candidate School in 1974, she was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. She served tours of duty in Keflavik, Iceland; in Naples, Italy and in Washington, DC. Beginning her Navy Reserve career in 1978 in Washington, DC, she became the first woman selected in 1981 to serve in the Training and Administration of Reserves (TAR) Program. Her tours in this capacity included command of Navy Reserve Centers in Wilmington, Delaware; Abilene, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Providence, Rhode Island. Her tours of duty in staff positions included the Naval Military Personnel Command, Washington, DC; Navy Reserve Readiness Command Eleven, Dallas, Texas; Naval Surface Reserve Force, New Orleans, Louisiana and the Chief, Reserve Affairs, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. After twenty-seven years of distinguished service, Captain Rowe retired from the Navy on July 1, 2001. Her numerous awards included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal (second award); the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal. During her retirement, Mary Ann was an active member of St. Mary, Mother of God in Washington, District of Columbia and the St. Mary Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. There, she assisted the pastor in founding the St. Ann and St. Joachim Society, a group designated to serve the needs of retired parishioners. A long-time member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), Court Kavanaugh No. 54, her volunteer involvement with the local Court led her to a key position as the National Legislative Chair for the CDA National Office, headquartered in New York City. She was active in the National Right to Life and a member of the Virginia Society for Human Life. Additionally, she participated in the Legion of Mary’s Society of the Patricians. In May of 2014, she was selected to join the pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, hosted by the Order of Malta, Federal Association USA, joined by many St. Mary of Alexandria parishioners who also made this pilgrimage as malades, companions and members of the Order in service. Survivors include her brother John (Jack) Rowe of Fallbrook, California; her sister Elizabeth Hart of Florida and many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Her family and friends wish to express their appreciation for the care provided by her church family, the staffs of the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute) Bethesda, Maryland; the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland and the VA Medical Center, Washington, DC. Funeral Mass will be offered January 16, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Inurnment will take place on January 17, 2015 in St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Greenville, Delaware. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, January 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Saint Mary Catholic Church 310 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 A reception in St. Mary's Lyceum, around the corner at 313 Duke Street will follow. Mass and Final Inurnment will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 12:00 Noon Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, Delaware Reverend Father William Hazzard Priest and cousin of the deceased Will offer the Mass prior to the inurnment. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Captain Rowe may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or to The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Kavanaugh 54 and sent to St. Mary's Rectory 310 Duke Street Alexandria 22314. Alternatively, donations may also be made to The Order of Malta, designated for The Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund and sent to Order of Malta, Federal Association USA 1730 M Street, NW Suite 403, Washington DC 20036.