Ruth L. Rowley

On July 30, 2020, in Winter Haven, Florida, Ruth Lay Wiecek Rowley peacefully passed from this earthly life. She was 99 years old, at peace, and eager to move on to her heavenly home to be with so many of her loved ones. Ruth was born on April 24, 1921, in Hartford, Connecticut. She was the sixth of seven children-all girls, who were dubbed “the Sisterhood.” As the last surviving sister for many years, she also was affectionately known to her family as “Mother Superior.” Ruth lived in Hartford for her entire childhood, graduating from Weaver High School. She married John (Johnny) Wiecek on November 7, 1942. They had two children--Linda (Tibbetts) and Gary. Upon retirement in the early 1970s, Ruth and Johnny moved from Manchester, Connecticut to Avon Park, Florida, where she remained for the rest of her life. They were married for forty-four years, until Johnny’s death in 1987. In 1991, she married Elmer Leroy (Roy) Rowley, who died in 2005. Ruth was a long-time employee at Travelers Insurance and later, at the Manchester Memorial Hospital. Ruth’s life was centered on her family and her churches-the Hartford Advent Christian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Avon Park. She threw herself into all kinds of leadership and organizational roles at both churches. She also sang in the choir at both places and for many years, wrote the Florida church’s newsletter, in which she had a column-called “Ruth’s Ramblings.” Because her children also moved to Florida shortly after she and Johnny did, she had many years of fun with them and her grandchildren. Ruth was a lively, outgoing person who enjoyed life and brought fun to all who spent time with her. Her wonderful sense of humor was legendary. She loved to socialize with her family and friends and was always up for a new adventure. She enjoyed travelling and was a great lover of sports-especially baseball. She also enjoyed making beautiful needlework pieces. Ruth was predeceased by her two husbands and her son-in-law, Donald Tibbetts. She leaves behind her children, Linda and Gary (Brenda), as well as her five grandchildren-Donald Tibbetts, Jr. (Amanda), Christopher Tibbetts (Tara), Karen Wiecek George (Mark), Melissa Wiecek Schell (Bryan), and Rebecca Wiecek Carnes (Carl)-fifteen great-grandchildren, and two great- great-grandchildren. A graveside funeral service will be held Friday, August 7, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Bougainvillea Cemetery in Avon Park, FL. Gifts in Ruth’s memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Avon Park.