FAY ROWE

[Published by Gillian Fritzsche]

It was Easter Sunday morning, April 4th, 2021. Fay Rowe had just posted on her personal Facebook page, “It’s Resurrection Sunday, when we celebrate that the crucified Christ rose again for our justification. Alleluia!”

Minutes later, she arose with her husband to get ready to attend church, in person. She showered, dressed, and had just grasped a necklace when her physical heart stopped beating. We don’t know exactly when her spirit left her body, but we are quite sure, once she was absent from that body, she was immediately present with the Lord!

After some medical intervention and too many tests, Fay’s body ultimately breathed its last breath on Monday, April 12, 2021. Though deeply saddened by the loss of her loving presence because of this sudden and early departure, Fay’s devoted husband, Glenn Rowe, and beloved daughter Gillian Fritzsche are casting their griefs and sorrows on Jesus, according to Isaiah 53:4-5:

Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

And today, Fay’s healing is complete. It is finished! She rejoices in Heaven! The Bible says in Romans 12:15 to weep with those who weep — and we do have our moments of weeping — but it also says to rejoice with those who rejoice; and we firmly believe that Fay is rejoicing! So we, her family, are rejoicing with her.

As Psalm 30:11 says:

You have turned for me
my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness.

Fay was born to Garfield and Louie Sparkes in Shearstown, Newfoundland in 1950. She started teaching at age 18 and spent 33 years as an elementary school teacher. Upon retiring from teaching, she became an award-winning author and inspirational speaker, as many who follow this blog already know.

With a passion for God’s integrity and faithfulness, Fay’s incredible appetite for Truth and her ginormous hunger for understanding motivated many around the world to trust God, grow in faith, rise above fear, and effectively share their faith with the next generation. She loved Jesus with her whole heart and adored His truth just as much. She was a truth-chaser.

Many who have known her have had their own experience with Fay’s penchant for love-filled truth-telling. If this is you, please share one of your favourite memories in the comments below.

In addition to her husband, Glenn, and daughter, Gillian, Fay’s absence is felt by her son-in-law Ryan Fritzsche, darling grandchildren Olivia and Ethan, sister Sylvia Ash (and husband Don), brother Byron (and wife Sandra), brother Carl (and wife Donna), in-laws Michael and Sally Fritzsche (and son Ben), nephews, nieces, and friends-like-family around the world.

Funeral and memorial arrangements are forthcoming. In the meantime, please take a moment, and sing along with us, one of Fay’s favourite hymns:

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.