Rowena M. Billsby (Howe)

Rowena Mildred Billsby (Howe) ?" Tuesday, February 2, 2010, Rowena Billsby; Mother, Grandmother, and Sister; passed away at the age of 92 after an extended battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her family at her son's home. Rowena was born January 4, 1918 in Saginaw, Michigan to Frank and Ellen Howe. Upon Frank's passing as a casualty of World War I in late 1918, Rowena grew up under the loving guidance of her mother and stepfather, Frank Gary. Preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Douglas Billsby (2004), Rowena and he were married in August 1940. Upon Lyle's return from the South Pacific after World War II, he and Rowena moved to Grayling, Michigan in August of 1946. Ro worked as a dental assistant in various dental offices in Grayling over a period of nearly 50 years. Additionally, she was involved in Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion, RSVP, Kirtland Warbler Festival, the Grayling Museum, in addition to a host of other community activities. As her family, we commend our Mother, Grandmother and Sister on her greatest accomplishment. She was nothing short of a loving and caring woman, who mothered one child, Douglas Lyle Billsby, and served as an unfailing inspiration to her family. In our recollection, prior to the onset of dementia, she loved unconditionally and we can only imagine that given her advanced stages of dementia, her feelings, if she could have expressed them, would only have been the same. It is a given that others will remember her differently, possibly as a fun-loving enthusiast of friends, life, or picking dandelions, but what is paramount to her immediate family is love. Additionally, Rowena is survived by her son, Douglas Lyle (Ruth); granddaughter, Kristy Ann Thornburg (Gary); grandson, Scott Michael (Maria); brother, Duane; Sister, Sue; and three great- grandchildren, Wyatt, Kyle and Cecilia. Visitation will be held at Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church between 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. A memorial will be held at Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 13, 2010. There will be a luncheon held at the American Legion Post 106 after the memorial service. The family asks that any donations be made in honor of Rowena Billsby to Mercy Homecare: Mercy Hospice (324 Meadows Drive, Grayling, MI 49738). To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rowena M. Billsby (Howe), please visit our flower store.