Mary J. (McCorkle) Rowe

Mary Jane (Janie) Rowe passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. She was born June 27, 1925 in Indianapolis. She was raised in her grandfather and grandmother Roy’s homeplace at 2948 S. Meridian Street in Indianapolis by her mother, Lillian McCorkle and aunt, Louise Roy. Janie’s father died before she was born. She went to St. Roch's Catholic primary school and graduated from Indianapolis Manual High School. She went on to become Executive Secretary to the President of Standard Oil at their Monument Circle offices in downtown Indianapolis. She began taking the train after work on Fridays from Union Station in Indianapolis to Terre Haute’s Terminal Station to spend the weekends with friends. On one of those trips she met her husband-to-be, a popular local singer working at Froderman Chevrolet. Janie married Harry Thomas Rowe on August 16, 1952 and settled in Terre Haute. They were married for 53 years until Harry’s death in 2005. They had three children: Tom, Jean Ann, and Donna. Janie raised her children and then returned to work in 1970. She worked as an Assistant Cafeteria Manager at South Vigo High School, a Secretary for the Knights of Columbus, and then retired in 1997 from the Cafeteria at Indiana State University. Janie was a past president of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sycamore Club. She attended St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Janie is survived by her son Tom Rowe and his wife Jan, daughter Jean Ann Evans and her husband Bob, and daughter Donna Bradshaw and her husband Jeff. She is also survived by grandchildren Rob Evans, Deana Eaton, Heather Norris, Amy Madonna Evans, Chelsie Rowe, Courtney Walters, and Logan Bradshaw, as well as 10 great-grandchildren. Janie took great pride in and had abiding love for her family, and for her neighbors who were always watching out for her. She was proud of the fact that at 90 years old she was still living in her own home and taking care of herself. Visitation will be Monday July 22, 2019 from 12:30 until 1:00 pm in DeBaun Springhill Chapel with funeral services to follow at 1:00 pm in the funeral home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that for those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities. Online condolences may be left at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com

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