Shirley Ann Rowland

Shirley was born January 6, 1934, in Bradford, PA. She grew up in the Meadville, PA area, graduating from Guys Mills High School during 1952.  She began employment at the Talon Zipper factory in Meadville.  She was introduced to her future husband, Wayne Rowland, by her brother, Donny.  Wayne enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Korea during the Korean War.  Returning from the War, he and Shirley were married at her parents’ home on June 19, 1954. Three days later they departed Meadville, for Wayne’s new assignment at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, WA.  While at Fairchild, Shirley gave birth to their first child, Vickie, during April, 1955.

Wayne was discharged from the Air Force and the new family returned to Pennsylvania, to be nearer family and friends where they purchased a farm. Their second child, Brian, was born during June 1957. It didn’t take too long to figure out farming was not for them, and Wayne re-enlisted back into the Air Force. He was stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida.  They later were transferred to Germany and eventually ended up at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, where he retired from the Air Force during 1973.  While at Nellis, Shirley began working at the bank on base (initially First National Bank, then First Interstate Bank until it became Wells Fargo).

They both loved being outdoors and would spend their weekends boating and camping at Lake Mead, until purchasing a mobile home at Echo Bay.  For several years all of their off time and holidays would be “at the trailer” at Echo Bay. Shirley was an avid reader, devouring just about anything she got ahold of to read.

She retired from the bank in 1990 as the Assistant Operations Manager.  Wayne had begun work for the Clark County School District after retiring from the Air Force, finally retiring during 1993. Now with both of them were retired, it was time to travel. They were off to Alaska in their RV for the summer.  They alternated summers in Alaska and Pennsylvania, visiting friends and family along the way.

Her last week was a very busy one.  On Monday, we all got to play tourist, visiting The Conservatory (Gardens) at the Bellagio, enjoying the fountains and fresh flower sculptures.  Then it was on to Mandalay Bay and the Shark Reef, observing all the sharks, turtles and every attraction the aquarium had to offer. We enjoyed a delicious late lunch at The Peppermill Restaurant on The Strip, a favorite place we had not been to in many years.  The next day we enjoyed dinner at “The Club” at Los Prados Country Club.  The following day we were off to the Farmers Market at Bruce Trent Park.  Shirley must have sampled every cake and cookie and dip available while strolling through. Friday was “Hair” day. And getting her hair done was always the top of priorities for Shirley.  After her visit to the beauty shop, a stop at McDonalds for a Frappe was in order.  Frappes are as important and necessary as getting her hair fixed at the beauty shop.  Shirley’s last week was filled with many things she enjoyed doing.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Weller and Dorothy Gregg, her brother, Donald Gregg, and her son, Brian S Rowland.  She is survived by Wayne, her husband of nearly 69 years, daughter Vickie Foy (Pat), daughter-in-law, Sylvia Rowland, granddaughter, Trischa Mallory, grandson, Jason Foy, brother, Michael Gregg (Amy), and numerous friends, who were all considered family.