Wilma F. Rowe

Florence Wilma Glassco Rowe, called WILMA was born in Roby, Missouri, a small Ozark town no longer in existence, to Kimball and Lela Glassco. The family, including younger brother William, moved to Beaumont, California when she was six years old. She spent her childhood in Beaumont, graduating from the local high school.

After graduation from Woodbury Business College in Los Angeles she took her first job with Bank of America. In 1942 she met Al Rowe one evening at a USO dance - they married soon after and later moved to San Bernardino where Al was employed at the Army Air Corps base on a very top secret project. Stan soon followed. After the war the family moved to Merced, Modesto then back to Merced. In 1952 they moved back to San Bernardino. Mary Ellen was born in Modesto.

Wilma worked part time in escrow and insurance offices while the children grew. She managed a Girl Scout troop and kept busy with the PTA and school activities. She became an insurance agent. After a few years she and Al began a partnership with another agent in Barstow, Ca. In 1968 with Stan in the Army, Mary away at college and Al working at North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, she dissolved the partnership and moved to Chula Vista to be with him. She joined San Diego Federal Savings as an Insurance Agent, working there until retirement in 1977.

She and Al moved into Bayview Mobile Home Park where she became active in park affairs and pursued sewing and other hobbies.

Over the years, she and Al enjoyed traveling abroad and after retirement purchased a small RV. They joined the Elk*s travel group for short camping and social excursions.

They have three grandchildren: Andrea, Meredith and Kevin. Great granddaughter Addison has been a great pleasure.

Wilma was one day past her 92nd birthday when she passed; Al passed in 2009.