Rowena White
June 15, 1946 to January 2, 2024
Obituary
To view the service for Rowena White on tuesday, january 9 at 11 a.m., please click the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwNDQ4NjU2MDI4OTA3MyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Surrounded by her loving family, Rowena White (née Harnett) passed peacefully away on January 2, 2024 at Pleasant View Towers (PVT), St. John’s, NL. Those fortunate enough to have known her will remember Rowena for her intelligence, kindness, and gregarious nature.
She was a devoted wife, a proud Mom, a doting Grandma, and a true friend. Leaving to mourn are: her adoring husband and soulmate of 54 years, Gordon; her daughters – Pamela (Todd), Paula (Dennis), and Penny-Lynn (Andrew); her grandchildren (the absolute pride of her life!) – Jackson, Jacob, Luke, Connor and Sofie; her brother – Clyde; many nieces and nephews; extended family members, and; a large circle of loyal and caring friends by whom she will be forever missed. Rowena is predeceased by her parents, John and Effie Harnett, and her parents-in-law, Arthur and Lillian White.
Rowena had a successful and rewarding career, spanning over 50 years, as a medical secretary in a number of specialties including Forensic Pathology, Neurology and Cardiology. She was an avid traveler but of all the trips she took, the ones she cherished the most were the annual trips with her husband to Myrtle Beach, SC. There, they visited with friends, dined, golfed, shopped and walked the beach together for hours. Her daughters always had a standing invitation to visit so that they could also enjoy the beach, shopping, and the “world’s best” potato soup.
Whatever Rowena was doing, her devotion to family and friends was always her top priority. Whether it was traveling with her husband, cooking and hosting amazing dinners for family and friends, or attending her children’s, and then her grandchildren’s, school events / extracurricular activities, she was steadfast in her devotion to those she cared about. Those who had the privilege to know and love her were truly and sincerely blessed, and she will be deeply missed.
The family extends its heartfelt and sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff of PVT’s 2SE and 2SW units for the care, compassion, respect and kindness that they provided to both them and their wife / Mom / Grandma during her time there.
The family will receive visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Monday, January 8, 2024 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The funeral service will be held in the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed via the link at the top of this page.
Flowers graciously accepted, or donations in Rowena’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on January 8, 2024
7-9 p.m. on January 8, 2024
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
11:00am, Tuesday January 9th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Gord and family. Our sincere condolences on the passing of Rowena. May you all find some peace and comfort in the beautiful memories that you share with each other.
Helen and John Cantwell
So sorry to hear of Rowena’s passing.. We were pals at school and later connected through golf.
My condolences to the family.
Fly High with the Angles Rowena..RIP
Marian (Dobbin) Tucker
Gordon and gir,ls,
Deepest sympathy to you all. Rowena was a lovely lady and may all the good memories you had with her live on.
Janet and Paul Aitken
Wedgewood Park
My sincerest condolences to Rowena’s beautiful family. She was a beautiful soul with a stunning smile! We had a lot of fun together in aerobics class & meeting at our instructors house at the holidays & at the end of each season for the Summer! It was very nice to meet her daughters & husband over time as well! She spoke of you all often & with so much love! She will be fondly remembered by so many.
Gord and family;
Marion and I are devastated on hearing of the passing of Rowena. We feel so bad that we could not be near you at this time to offer you some support in this time of terrible grief.
Rowena was a beautiful woman and we always felt so welcome and comfortable when in her company.
Just now heard of her passing and watched the service online.
Please be assured that our thoughts, love and prayers are with you and your children.
Rowena is now at peace in the loving arms of her Saviour who loved her unconditionally. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
With happy memories;
David and Marion Cook
Pam,
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your mom. I remember her well from our teenage years and how fiercely she loved her family. Her daughters were her absolute pride and joy. Sending hugs to you and your family.
Penny, Andrew & Sophie,
Thinking of all of you. Myself and Duffy will be watching the funeral at home.
Gordon and family, please accept our sincere condolences. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Elizabeth and Bill Thistle
Dear Mr White and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Mrs. White’s passing..I have very fond memories of visiting my Mom (Lorraine) and Mrs. White while they were at work. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Amy Giles (Tobin)
Gord and family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gordon and family.
Please accept our sincere condolences .you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Gord , Paula, Pam and Penny I’m so sorry to hear of Rowena’s passing, I look back at the fond memories of the times we shared together . May you all reflect on your own personal memories of the beautiful person she was. My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. Noel
Gord, sorry to hear of the passing of your wife. Condolences to you and the family.
Mr. White and family…sending sincere condolences on the passing of Mrs. White.
Her love and guidance will continue to live on in all of you. Thinking of you at this most difficult time.
Warmest regards
Denise Lambe Bannister
Paula,
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. May your beautiful memories bring you comfort in the coming days.
Take care.
Denis, my deepest condolences to you at this difficult time. May your wonderful memories of Rowena help bring you comfort in the coming days. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gord, the girls and families, So sorry to hear of Rowena’s passing. Anytime Rowena and i met over the years we always had a great yarn and a few laughs. She will be surely missed. RIP Rowena.
To Penny-Lynn and Family
Condolences to all of you on the loss of your mother. I am thinking of you.
Angela Loucks-Atkinson (a colleague of Penny-Lynn)
To Pam and family,
Sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. May happy memories help carry you through this difficult time,
The Whitton Family
T0 Gord, “the girls” and Clyde
I was so saddened when I heard of Rowena’s passing. My condolences to you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless. and may she rest in peace.
Betty
Condolences to the White and Harnett family. May she Rest in Peace.
Pam, Paula and Penny,
It was such a pleasure knowing your mother. We attended Brenda Warren’s exercise class and she was a bundle of cheer to have in the class….always friendly, funny and cheerful. She was a big part of our exercise parties as well. We’ve missed her in the last few years but she was always in our thoughts at our gatherings. A lovely lady and friend.
Marilyn
To Gord and family and cousin Clyde So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you all.
Dear Gord & all your family
So very sorry to hear of Rowena’s passing. I have fond memories of happy times golfing with her, especially @ Pippy Park golf club.
Cherish your memories & hope the good times will help with your healing process.
Kindest regards
Pearl Grant
Mr. White, Pam, Paula and Penny,
I was so saddened to learn of the death of “Mrs. White.” My sister and I babysat many times when there was just Paula and then Pam and then baby Penny Lynn arrived. Your Mom was always so kind to us and even though we were only young teenaged babysitters it was easy to see the love that your parents had for each other. In later years whenever I would run into your Mom she would always ask how my parents were doing and have a laugh about the fun that was had during those Wedgewood Park softball days.
I know your hearts are heavy and broken. I will keep you in my prayers for strength and comfort.
Dear Gordon, Pammy, Paula, and Penny-Lynn and your families,
I don’t have any words to express how sad I feel about Rowena’s passing. She was one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met inside and out. She could always find a way to make everyone around her feel better. She always cared and helped everyone.
Anybody who knew her knew how much she loved her family. The love she shared with Gord was wonderful to see and her devotion to her family was evident to anyone who ever met her. She talked about you guys with so much love and pride always.
She will never be gone while you have memories of the beautiful woman she was.
With my deepest sympathy,
Sandi Kelly
To Gord ,beautiful daughters grandchildren son- in-laws and brother Clyde..
Rowena was a very kind and friendly lady..As a resident of Wedgewood Park we would always have friendly chats whenever we met.
She was so proud of her children” the girls”When the grandchildren came along her heart was filled with joy.
May your treasured memories of beautiful Rowena help you get through this most difficult time.
Sincerely Bonnie and Nick Power
Mr. White, Pam, Paula, Penny-Lynn and families:
Mom and I are saddened to hear of Mrs. White’s passing.. We send to you our condolences and know that your precious memories will see you through this difficult time.
I was totally shocked to learn of Rowena’s passing. We were best friends as children through our teenage years. We kept in touch sporadically over the years, due mostly to my moving away. I will remember her always. My sincere condolences to Gord, their children, grandchildren and of course Clyde.
I’m very saddened to read this today. My condolences go out to you Gord, Pennylynn, Paula, and Pam. I enjoyed every minute looking after your mom from doing her hair to making sure she had her lips on as Gord would say. May your mom be at peace and keep her beautiful memories alive. God bless you guys!
My sincere condolences to the family
Paula and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most trying and difficult time. God Bless xo
We are heartbroken for your loss. We have been fortunate to call your family neighbors and friends for over 40 years.
I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss …give your dad the biggest hug from me …thinking of you all …Bonnie
Gord and family,
So sorry to hear of Rowena’s passing.. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time
So sorry for your loss Penny-Lynn, Andrew, Sophie and the rest of your family. Thinking of you all as you mourn the loss of your beautiful mom, I know how much she meant to you. Cherish all of your beautiful memories and hold them close for comfort. Thinking of you xo
So sorry for your loss !
Rowena was at PVT with our mom Philomena .
Ann Marie and Darlene
Pam, Todd, Jackson and Jacob, we are so sorry for your loss. May your memories be a blessing.
Gord and Families:
So sorry to hear of Rowena’s passing. Will always remember our great times, camping at “Hender’s “, watching our children play and grow up. So many wonderful memories!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Pam – so sorry for the loss of your beloved mom. Xoxo sending all our love to you all 🩷
Pam – so sorry for the loss of your beloved mom. Xoxo sending all our love to you all 🩷
Gord and family,
So sorry to hear of your great loss. Rowena was a lovely lady. Our thoughts are with you during these difficult days.