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June 25, 1930 - January 16, 2021
Rowena Vawvrey Roux was born June 25, 1930 to Charles and Gladys Roux in Vilna, Alberta. She attended school in Vilna, and then graduated with an Education degree from U of A, Edmonton, AB. She first taught in Alexander, AB, and then taught 13 years in Grand Center, AB, and then in Hinton, AB. She served both as a teacher and a Vice Principal.
While in Hinton, she married Leo Evert Leivo and eventually retired moving to South Surrey White Rock in 1983. She loved the White Rock Peninsula making many friends. She served as a volunteer for the local Food Bank for 34 years retiring only after being diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic cancer this past fall. She was active in the Anglican and Lutheran church communities.
Rowena was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Gladys Roux, her brother William Roux, and by her husband Leo Leivo.
She is survived by her great-nephew David Elder of Kamloops and great-niece Brenda Elder of Surrey; by her husband's nephew John (Marilyn) Martin of Pine, Colorado; niece Lynne (Gordon) Fogg of Easton, Maryland; and grandnieces Ginger Perez of LaGrange Park, Illinois and Kendra Martin of Arvada Colorado.
Her many friends and neighbors will long remember her for her energy, love of flowers and gardening, her quick wit, and a servant heart. She was always a caring person, and she loved her Lord. She has been an inspiration to all of us who have known her.
Memorial gifts in memory of may be given to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, All Saints Community Church,White Rock Lutheran Church and the Food Bank. A meaningful graveside service was held on Monday, January 25th, 2021 at 1:30 pm, with only ten people present as required by provincial government regulations. A memorial service may be held when churches are again open.
Rowena in advance asked us to thank each of you for your love and prayers over the years . . . especially former students and teaching co-workers, her many dear friends and neighbors, her food bank co-workers for the last 34 years, her many church friends and co-servants, all her medical caregivers, and her friends at McDonalds.
To each of us she reminded us . . . "I'm gone, and you'll be joining me sooner than you think! It's been a such a wonderful, beautiful life! Thank you so much for being part of my life! God Bless you all." Remarks in her closing days.
Rowena passed away quietly in her sleep in the early morning of Saturday, January 16th, 2021 at the Melville Hospice, South Surrey, BC. May God bless the memory of this faithful servant of God. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His beloved..." (Psalm 116:15).