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Judith Ann Rowson, 77, of Portsmouth, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021 at her home. Judy was born December 17, 1943 in Portsmouth, a daughter of the late Larry & Lorraine Gowdy Cook.
A 1961 Portsmouth High School graduate, Judy was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church. She had worked at the former Portsmouth Banking Co., for the N&W Railway Co. (later Norfolk Southern Railway Co.) and at the Scioto County Courthouse. An avid tennis player and Life Center pickleball player, Judy loved to travel. She especially enjoyed the annual girls’ cruise with her daughters and granddaughter.
Surviving is her husband of 56 years, John D. Rowson II, whom she married April 26, 1964 in Portsmouth. Also surviving are her daughters, Jodi (Tom) Ruppelli of Medina and Julie (John) Voorhies of Loveland; her brother, Bill (Lois Fenton) Cook of Portsmouth; two sisters, Susie Cook and Sharon Cook-Green, both of Portsmouth; four grandchildren, Jordyn Ruppelli, Jake Ruppelli, Brandon Voorhies and Connor Voorhies; several nieces, nephews and their families; and her beloved Yorkie, Bo.
In addition to her parents, Judy was also preceded in death by maternal grandparents who reared her, Brooks and Alta (Coriell) Gowdy.
Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. Monday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. John Gowdy officiating and interment in Memorial Burial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 A.M. until the funeral hour. Masks will be required in accordance with local health regulations.
Memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St. Portsmouth, OH 45662 and Sierra’s Haven for New & Used Pets, 80 Easter Dr., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
God's Garden
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “Peace be thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone…
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Author: D. W. MCCONWAY
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judy Ann (Cook) Rowson, please visit our floral store.
SOMC Hospice
2201-25th Street, Portsmouth OH 45662
Web: http://somc.org/development/donatenow/
Sierra's Haven for New and Used Pets
80 Easter Drive, Portsmouth OH 45662
Tel: 1-740-353-5100
Web: http://www.sierrashaven.org