Anne Rowan

Anne Rowan's life story is a testimony to the impact she had on the lives of people around her, every day. As a daughter, a mother, a partner, a friend, a coworker, the love, dedication, and compassion she showed to each person in her life is beyond compare. She saw such beauty in the world around her and appreciated every one of God's gifts in her life, whether it was the birth of one of her grandchildren or the colors of the autumn leaves. What's more is that through her own illness, she taught those around her how to love more deeply and live like you truly mean it. For Curtis & Helen (Smith) Sharp, February 14, 1948 was truly a special day. In fact, they would probably say Valentine's Day that year was beyond compare. They didn't celebrate the occasion with a fancy dinner, soft music, and candlelight, but they most certainly did celebrate. It was on that cold winter day in Lincoln Park, Michigan that their beautiful baby girl, Anna May, was born. It was almost as though destiny had intervened that a little girl who would grow up to be so filled with love was born on a day that observes just that. Seven years younger than her older brother Skip, from the time she was born Anne was the baby of the family and it was a role for which she was fit. Anne was both a blessing and a very special child, and for that she was spoiled from the top of her cute head to the bottom of her adorable little toes. Growing up Anne was close to her parents, particularly her mother, Helen. Pappy, as they called Anne's father and Helen both worked for Wolverine Aluminum, a company owned by Anne's uncle. Both Anne's family and the neighborhood she grew up in were very close knit. From picnics in the summer to New Year's Eve parties, all of the children and their parents in the neighborhood would come together and celebrate with one another. With doors open to all, it was a very welcoming environment. Anne's best friends were Antonina and Phyllis Pelligrino, two sisters from down the street, and the three of them were most definitely all girl. Some of their best times were spent in the makeshift dressing room they constructed between two apple trees in Anne's backyard, where they would gussy themselves up in mom's dresses and heels. With the memories of getting all dolled up still fresh in her mind, while attending Lincoln Park High School, Anne caught the acting bug and joined the drama club, and even earned a role in their production of My Fair Lady. She also enrolled in a local beauty school and began preparing for a career cutting, coloring, and styling hair. When she graduated from Lincoln Park in 1966, she already had a job in hand as a beautician. Although she had a great talent for her work, it was not a job about which she could say she enjoyed going to every day. A family wasn't far out of her reach either. Throughout high school she had dated a boy named Jim Hubbard and, following graduation, Anne and Jim were married. Anne and Jim had three sons together, Jimmy, Michael, and Steven. Unfortunately the boys would not experience the special bond between their mother and their grandmother, Helen or their grandfather, Pappy. Both of Anne's parents passed away prematurely, within six weeks of each other, and now that Anne had children of her own, she regretted that they would never know the love of either grandparent. While the boys were still young, Anne and Jim went their separate ways leaving Anne to raise them as a single parent. This, however, was a challenge that Anne was up to. In fact, she did it so well that she made it seem effortless. Anne devoted herself to making the boys' home the most wonderful and loving environment, which included providing them with every opportunity she could. She worked nights so that she had her days free to be with the boys and she was involved in all of their activities from the Boy Scouts to Little League to pool tournaments, she would drive across the state if she had to just to be there for them. When Anne's son Steven was diagnosed with William's Syndrome, she took it upon herself to learn everything she could about the rare condition. She even became involved in the William's Syndrome Organization so that she could help Steven live a normal boy's life to the best of his ability. Not to mention the hours that Anne devoted to being a coach and counselor for the Special Olympics. Each and every year she showed up to help out and would not have missed any of Steven's events for the world. In 1997 after Phyllis passed away, Antonina invited her friend, Kathy Vollmer along with Anne for a weekend trip to Chicago to share memories. Although Kathy had met Anne as early as 1992 at Phyllis' home in Grand Haven, this was the weekend that sealed their fate. It was an immediate connection for Anne and Kathy. Despite the criticism and rejection they experienced later for their relationship, Anne and Kathy were so devoted to one another and had a love that was so strong, nothing could have come between them. The two of them shared many of the same interests including, eating G hotdogs, going to antique malls, and the same movies, music, and TV shows. One of the greatest days of Anne's life was the day in 1998 that she finally moved into her own home in Spring Lake with Kathy. Now living near the coast of Michigan, the two of them could share many gorgeous sunsets over Lake Michigan with one another. Anne loved the challenge of decorating their new home, choosing paint colors, window treatments, and floor coverings. She had a great eye for decorating. Year-round they spent evenings in their hot tub, talking and laughing. If it was winter Anne liked to sip on a Southern Comfort Manhattan and in the summer, gin & tonic was her drink of choice. Anne also became involved in many activities near her new home. She joined Circle of Friends, a local gay and lesbian support group, where she amused everyone with her very witty and quite candid remarks, for which they loved her. She and Kathy joined a women's bowling league, and though their scores were only average, they had a blast with the other women on their team. It came as a pleasant surprise to all of them the year they made it to the state finals. Every year from 1997 on, Anne and Kathy went on an annual pilgrimage to Shipshewana, and Anne was always amazed at the gorgeous Amish gardens and great food. Anne was also in awe of beautiful fall foliage, and would often "ooh and aah" at the rich and vibrant colors as she traveled down tree-lined streets. Recently they took a color tour to Tahquamenon Falls, and she was able to really take in all the beauty and wonder, knowing that this was possibly the last time she would see the brilliance of nature. Before being diagnosed with cancer in 2002, Anne had just begun a career at Flagstar Bank, and felt sure she would retire from there. In her life she wore many different hats, but no matter what, she always dedicated herself to the position and faced each new challenge head on. This was similar to how she approached her illness. She learned from others with cancer and shared her own experiences while attending Hackley Cancer Support Group and Camp Bluebird. Though she was now limited in her ability to do things, Anne continued to try and overcome her obstacles. She took up knitting again, and then crocheting, eventually creating beautiful and complex afghans. She also enjoyed roaming around Hobby Lobby and working in the yard. Each year when Christmas rolled around, she would put up even more decorations than she had the year before, always with a bigger and better tree with more and more lights. At a time that, for most, would be very difficult to give, Anne was even more dedicated to those around her, including her family and her pets. From the time she was very young, beginning with her first dog Lucky, Anne held a special place in her heart for cats and dogs. From Lucky, Pickles June, to the two cats, Lilly and Ivy, and the two Schnauzers, Harley & Molly, which she shared with Kathy, Anne took exceptional care of her animals. She groomed them and gave them massages, and they were her constant companions when she began to lose her mobility. She also got to experience the joy of being a grandmother five times, and each time she was so happy and thankful to be able to observe a new miracle of God. Anne would sometimes wonder what good was her life, but all she had to do was look into the eyes of each of those babies, the soul of her children and partner, and into the hearts of every person whose life she touched, and she would see the depths to which her spirit reached. The earth's loss is truly heaven's gain. Some people come into our lives and quickly go ... Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts, We are never the same. -- author unknown Anne Rowan, age 58, died Wednesday, April 5, 2006 after three courageous years battling a brain tumor. Surviving are her three sons, Jim (Dawn) Hubbard of Taylor, MI, Michael (Christy) Hubbard of Port Huron, MI & Steven Hubbard of Port Huron, MI; five grandchildren, Sheena, Hallie, Madison, Faith 1 brother, Skip (Judy) Sharp of TN; one sister-in-law, Linda (Joe) Hubbard; one niece, Kelly Sharp; one nephew, Brian (Sarah) Sharp; and her partner, Kathy Vollmer. She was preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of Anne's life will be held Friday, April 14, 2006, 3pm, at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon, with Rev. Peter Theune officiating. Please visit Anne's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, sign the online guestbook or make a memorial to Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana, Hackley VNS Hospice, Camp Bluebird of West Michigan, or Special Olympics Michigan.