ROWAN, Blanche
At Extendicare, Kirkland Lake, where she had excellent care for the last five years of her life. Blanche Rowan was born to Sidney and Emily Chipchase on Friday December 13, 1918, in Guisborrough, Yorkshire, England. Her parents died within a month of each other when she was six years old. From that age, she was raised in the Barnardo Girls home in England. She was separated from her two brothers who were whisked away to the Barnardo Boys home miles away. Blanche joined the British Army and was a radar operator, in London, during World War 2. She was instrumental in saving the lives of two American pilots who were shot down over London by following their plane on the radar screen so they could be quickly rescued. Later in the war they came back to thank her. Blanche married Canadian soldier, Ken Rowan in 1943. She later immigrated to Canada on HMS Letitia as a war bride in 1946. After arriving at Pier 21, she travelled to Orillia. She and Ken lived in the Kirkland Lake/Virginiatown/Matachewan area for the rest of her life. In Matachewan, Blanche is remembered as being the switchboard operator. For years she was the contractor-operator for Northern Telephone Ltd, until rotary phones were no longer needed as dial came into use. She will always be remembered for her love of helping everybody she could. She was active in the Legion, both branch 386 in Matachewan and 87 in Kirkland Lake. Blanche loved to sing. Predeceased by her parents, her brothers John of England and Robert of Australia. Ken Rowan, father of their children of Sault Ste. Marie, son Charles Rowan of Kirkland Lake, great-granddaughter Brittany Bolton of Kirkland Lake and son-in-law Robert McCollam of Matachewan. Also predeceased by her brother-in-law Frank and Gordon Rowan, Howard Brohm, Howard Breckles and her sister-in-law Dorothy Breckles. Blanche is survived by five of her six children: Margaret McCollam of Matachewan, Robert Rowan (Christine) of Swastika, James Rowan (Elizabeth) of Matachewan, William Rowan (Carol) of Blake and Kathy Carre (Mike) of Espanola, also daughters-in-law Jeanette Rowan of Kirkland Lake and Wendy Rowan of Waterloo, 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Also survived by sisters-in-law Catherine Brohm, Audrey Kimberly and Anna Rowan. A Legion service and celebration of Blanche’s life will be held, with announcements to be made in the spring. Cremation has taken place. We love you and miss you Mum. Condolences, contributions and memorial candles may be left at www.mcdonaldfuneralhome.ca
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