Thelma J. Rowland, founded Lewes art  show

Thelma J. Rowland, 101, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Millsboro, with her children by her side.

Thelma, also known by her grandchildren as Sonie, was born in her grandparents’ home on what is now known as Beaver Dam Road. On Sundays, Thelma and her family would travel two miles in a horse-drawn carriage to worship at Saint George's Chapel and it was there that she was baptized and confirmed.

As a young teen Thelma moved with her mother and stepfather (Catherine and Eugene Maull) to Lewes where she attended Lewes School. It was there that she met and married a young apprentice pilot, Harry H. Rowland. After settling on Second Street they became very active in St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and it was Thelma's concept to begin what is now known as Founders Art Day in Lewes. Years later, after relocating to Millsboro, she returned to St. George's to worship.

Thelma had many interests. Some of her favorites were golf, travel, watercolor and china painting, gardening and entertaining. And she also must have loved picking crabs, as she picked 1,000 one summer. She counted them.

In addition to her parents Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Captain Harry H. Rowland; her granddaughter Sara Rowland; and her stepbrother Virden Maull. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Rowland; her son Hickman Rowland; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Due to inclement weather, Memorial Services will now be held Friday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m., at St. George's Chapel, 20274 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. George's Chapel, or to the Delaware Community Foundation in Sara Rowland's memory, PO Box 1636 Wilmington, DE 19899, or go to delcf.org/fund/sara-elizabeth-rowland-memorial-fund.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes Crematorium Atkins-Lodge Chapel. Lewes.

Please visit Thelma's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.