Rowena E. Hewitt

Rowena Evelyn Hewitt (known to family and friends as ‘Row’), passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 5, 2018, just days after her 84th birthday.  She was born in East Dallas Township, Missouri on July 24, 1934, the only child of Edna Lane and Albert Cyrus Lane.  As a child, she attended 11 different schools throughout New Mexico, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, and Idaho, and she graduated from Roswell High School in 1952.  After graduating high school, Row entered a secretary program at UNM, where she was active in her sorority, Chi Omega Pi Gamma. She went on to work in administration for the U.S. Air Force, Avery Advertising, and Albuquerque Women’s Bowling Association until her retirement.  In 1954, she married W. Marshal Jones, with whom she had three sons.  She was known to call Rob and Dave ‘Peter Pan,’ while Ron was ‘The Absent-minded Professor.’   In 1977, she married her second husband, W. Donald Hewitt.  

Row was loving, intelligent, passionate, interesting, stubborn, independent, strong, inspiring, and quick to see the humor in things.  She was prominent in the bowling community in Albuquerque, where she was a Hall of Fame member of the Albuquerque Bowling Association.  Her sons joke that they were raised in a bowling alley.  Row’s other passions included crocheting, sewing, watching old movies, and playing computer games.  She enjoyed being outdoors, particularly fishing, gardening, and visiting the zoo, and she was never deterred by the rain.  She had to have pie and a turkey leg every time the New Mexico State Fair rolled around, and she always wanted the corner piece of cake (where the frosting-cake ratio is the best).  She was interested in Southwestern and Native American art, history, and literature, and she loved touring the Natural History Museum.  She was also a professional Fox News watcher, a connoisseur of pickled beets, and a huge fan of Bichon Frises.  Above all, Row cherished her family. She loved her sons unconditionally, even when rolling her eyes at their many puns of dubious quality.  She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and their various accomplishments, and absolutely adored her great-grandchildren (she wasn’t afraid to admit she liked them most).  Visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always a highlight for Grandma Row, and she attended every family gathering she could.  She was delighted to have the opportunity to spoil three generations of descendants. 

Rowena was preceded in death by her husband, Don Hewitt, and her parents, Edna and Albert Lane.  She is survived by her three sons, David Jones, Ronald (Joy) Jones, and Robert (Tracey) Jones, all of Albuquerque, and 11 grandchildren: Kyle Jones, Keith (Kendra) Jones, Troy Jones, Veronica (Berkley) Walker, Matthew (Malisa) Jones, Frances (Robert) Jones, Nicholas Jones, Miea Jones, C. Jasmyn Jones, Sarah (Kody) Jones, and Marie Jones.  She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren, who she was thrilled to know and love: Kaylee, Christopher, Hayden, Emma, Ellie, Taylor, Oliver, Everly, Evan, Eli, and Kamryn.  She was dearly loved and is greatly missed by her family and friends.  

Friends, family, and admirers are invited to a memorial service which will be held Thursday, August 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Family Funeral Service - Southern Chapel, 2400 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM.