Mary A. Rowlands (Young), 95, passed away peacefully at The Lindley Inn, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.

Mary was born Nov14, 1923 on Lightfritz Ridge in Waterloo Township, Athens County Ohio. She graduated from Waterloo High School in New Marshfield. Mary was the daughter of the late Elma Young (McKee) and William Henry Young. Her late siblings are Evelyn Allbaugh (Young), Paul and Marvin Young. She is survived by her daughter Joni Mitchell (Rowlands) of San Diego, California.

Mary and her lifelong friend Veatie traveled to Dayton after High School to seek jobs and adventure. During WW II, Mary worked at Wright Patterson. Later, working at Inland Division of GM, she met her husband Mearl Rowlands. Mearl owned a barber shop and later worked as a machinist.

Mary and Mearl got married in 1953. They enjoyed restoring old houses and making them beautiful again. They always had an immaculate yard with flowers and birds reflecting their love of nature.  Mary was an excellent decorator, seamstress and made superb homemade pies like her mother Elma.

Mary loved cats her entire life. She had Kitsy, Rosie, Zack, and Peek-A-Boo. Mearl and Mary loved auctions and purchased many antiques. Mary stripped and restored the furniture making it beautiful again. They enjoyed dining out and ate with a group of friends at a restaurant called the Westward-Ho, Dayton.

After Mearl died in 1993, Mary moved back to Athens and bought a house on Sunnyside Drive. Even in her late 70s, she was able to paint, remove wall paper and plant flowers and trees.

George Cook, an old flame from High School was Mary's companion later in life which enriched their lives. They shared many of the same values and memories. George recently passed away in March.

A Graveside service will be held at the end of July at the New Marshfield Cemetery. Text Joni @ 619-709-5043 for the date and time. To honor Mary, please donate to the Athens County Human Society.  Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.