Mary L. (Rosales) Stowe

Mary Louise Stowe, age 83, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, September 17, 2018 at her residence.

A memorial service will be held 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 21st at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with the Rev. Corey Krengiel officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. till service time at 8:00.  Per Mary’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.

Mary was born July 26, 1935 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of Louis and Helen Mary (Vega) Rosales.  She is survived by a brother, Jerry Rosales; sisters, Shirley Salvador and Margaret Muzzalupo.  She also leaves nieces, Lia Muzzalupo and Carrie Rosales; nephews, Joseph (Denise), Frank (Sheryl), Vince, Paul and Phil (Yolanda) Muzzalupo and Rick Rosales; and step-children, Stuart (Karen) Stowe, Steven Stowe, and Sharon (Vince) Bruett.  She was a great-aunt and great-great-aunt to many nieces and nephews.  Mary was preceded in death by her parents.

Mary was a member of St. Columba Church where she sang in the choir.  Mary was born and raised in Ottawa, Illinois and moved to Chicago to work for Playboy Enterprises Corporate Offices Services Department as their Office Administrator for 36 years.  After retirement she moved back to Ottawa where she enjoyed volunteering constantly at such places as OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Reruns. Mary was extremely proud of her Mexican heritage and served as a hostess at Jardine’s.  Mary spent her leisure time reading and cheering for her favorite Chicago sports teams, the Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls.  She dearly loved her family and was considered a “second mom” to her nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews as well as being a beloved step-mother and grandmother.  Mary enjoyed the companionship of her beloved cat, Selena.  She was a loving person who always had a smile, never forgot a name or birthday and always put the needs of others first.