Nancy C. Rowe

Nancy Cipolla Rowe September 25, 1935 – May 29, 2024 Nancy Cipolla Rowe, 88 years old, of Palm Bay, FL passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2024. She was born on September 25, 1935, in West Chester, PA to Giovanni and Anna (DiCecco) Cipolla. She was one of seven children born in the US to Italian immigrant parents. She was proud of her Italian heritage and practiced her Catholic faith devoutly her entire life. Nancy spent her childhood surrounded by a loving and large immediate and extended family, speaking Italian and English, and enjoying a rural life. Her parents owned a large greenhouse growing plants and vegetables for sale and donation. Her father was a well-respected stone mason with many beautiful, commissioned works, especially fountains and overpasses at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. Nancy graduated from St. Agnes Catholic High School in West Chester, PA and later in life worked towards her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Barry University in Miami, FL. She was a life-long learner with numerous hobbies, sports, and travel adventures. She was an expert seamstress and a fabulous cook famous for her Italian pasta and sauces like her mother before her. Her kitchen productions were enjoyed by family and friends and many stray young friends of her children. As a competitor, she was a skilled bridge player and sportswoman. As a young woman, she was a high school basketball player, a tennis player and coach, a golfer, and later in life a willing participant as an extra player in her grandchildren’s baseball, basketball, and soccer games. Nancy traveled the US and the world, beginning with a relocation to the Caribbean islands with her husband and young family for 10 years. Upon returning to the US and settling in FL, Nancy and her children traveled the US taking in all the wonderful sights and adventures in the state and beyond. Later in life, to explore her heritage Nancy visited Italy and her parents’ hometown of Fara San Martino in Chieti of the Abruzzo region. Nancy’s work career was long and varied. As a young woman, she began her profession with Dupont in Wilmington, DE pausing only briefly to begin a family. She continued with her executive administerial work with Palm Beach County Engineering in West Palm Beach, FL and retired in 2000 after 32 years. Nancy also gave her time freely, volunteering for Church ministries, charity organizations, and for her children’s schools. Nancy’s heart burst with pride and love for her family. She filled her life with loving relationships with numerous cousins from all over the country and with friends from her days in the Caribbean, work, Church, and neighborhood. Her circle of friendships was very wide. She took each day and embraced it heartily. She was a people-person, friendly to all and easy to like. Her smile sparkled with happiness, and she laughed effortlessly. She not only was a strong and loving mother to her own children, but many young people sought her out as a second mother for guidance and care. She was a perennial optimist, often giving the encouraging words “the sun always rises.” Nancy was a selfless woman, giving of herself and her time, and she was incredibly strong and determined. Nancy will be missed and never forgotten by her children, Andrea and Tony, for whom she sacrificed much. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Peter, Louis, and Michael, and sister Mary. She is survived by her sister, Jeanette, and brother, Anthony; her children Andrea Abdullah (Bill) of Charleston, SC, and Tony Rowe (Mary Jean) of West Palm Beach, FL; grandchildren Evan, Ryan (Caitlin), and Eric Abdullah; and Anthony (Rebecca), Kimberly, and Daniel Rowe; and great-grandchildren Zachary and Tommy Rowe. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Glen Mills, PA (430 Valleybrook Rd) on Saturday, June 29 at 10:30 am. Interment to follow immediately. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift donation to the National Audubon Society - link below. Nancy loved animals of all kinds, but especially birds, and created beautiful feeding habitats for them in her backyard. She was an ardent supporter of efforts to protect them. She especially had a love for cardinals knowing they were symbolic of messengers from Heaven. Link: https://act.audubon.org/a/memorial-gift?ms=digital-fund-web-website_nas-memorial-formquestions_20201200

Nancy C. Rowe

September 25, 1935 - May 29, 2024