Mary Frances Rowan

Mary Frances Shanahan Rowan, 88, of Beaver Falls, died October 6, 2022. She was the daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Kirby) Shanahan of Beaver Falls.

Mary, born and raised in Pittsburgh, moved to Beaver Falls for her senior year in high school. She graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1952. Following graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Robert Amalia Insurance Agency for many years. Mary was a highly esteemed member of the business community helping many families and friends with their tax preparations over the years, even in retirement. She was always a trusted advisor for tax questions.

She married her husband, Lewis J. Rowan, in 1957 and was a devoted wife and loving mother to her family. Mary and Lewis celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 1997 with a special evening out seeing Tony Bennett in Pittsburgh.

Mary loved hosting gatherings and picnics at her home and always made sure everyone felt welcomed, offering guests her signature “hot cup of tea”. She enjoyed hosting card clubs through the years with her dearest friends and delighted in teaching her children and grandchildren new card games.

She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader in all of their endeavors, proudly watching them participate in their sporting events and enjoyed countless special family occasions throughout the years.

Mary was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church in New Brighton (which became Holy Family Parish), and served in many ministries, including money counter, Catholic Daughters of America, The Gold, Bingo, Annual Bazaar, and various other committees throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Lewis J. Rowan, her parents, Patrick and Margaret Shanahan, and a grandson, Mantle Rowan. Mary was the last living member of her family of 14 siblings. She is survived by her four children, Karen (Andy) Flis, Ronald (Tara) Rowan, Diane (Michael) McMahon and Sue Rowan; grandchildren, Alexandra Flis, Andrew Flis, Madalena (Devin) Gilligan, Patrick McMahon, Maverick Rowan, Jarett McMahon, Kaitlyn McMahon, Ryan McMahon, Mylan Rowan, Rowan Lorusso, Mason Rowan; and great-grandchild, Hunter McMahon.

Family and friends will be received Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 10 a.m. until her Mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of the Valley, Holy Family Parish, 521 7th Ave, New Brighton, Pa 15066 at 11:00 a.m.  Fr. Paul Kuppe, O.F.M., Cap, officiating. (ALL VISITATION AND SERVICES WILL BE IN OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY, HOLY FAMILY PARISH)

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, New Brighton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: Gateway Hospice, 9380 McKnight Road, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Arrangements by J & J Spratt Funeral Home, New Brighton.