Left to Right: Dorcas Bursey, Blanche Rowe, Gladys Barrett

My aunt, Blanche Rowe, celebrated her 100th birthday on June 15, 2005.

Eva Blanche Rowe was born June 15, 1905, in Bay-de-Verde, Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Her parents were Stephen and Isabella (Way) Blundon. She was the third living child in the family, after brothers Charles and Harvey John. In the ensuing years, they were joined by sisters Lydia, Dorcas and Gladys.

Although prone to frailty and illnesses, Blanche enjoyed attending school, reading books and playing games with her sisters. Later she worked as a mother's helper in Grates Cove, and at her Aunt Fanny's store in Catalina. It was there that she saw her first electric lights, and her first Sovereign coin!

On February 9, 1927, Blanche married Cephas Rowe of Carbonear, and settled into life in that community. Many a time she took the train to Bay-de-Verde to visit her family, and she can still describe each bend and embankment along the way.

Blanche and Cephas had three children: Joyce (Trickett), William and Stephen. Her grandchildren now number ten, and she has 15 great-grandchildren.

The Rowes joined other Carbonear familes travelling to the Northern Peninsula or the Labrador coast for the summer fishery, taking their food staples, clothing, building and household supplies, fishing gear and animals on the steamship Kyle. As the ship creaked and groaned under the weight, the passengers wondered if they would make it to their destinations and home again!

When Cephas passed away in 1972, Mrs. Rowe lived in the family home with her bachelor son, Will; however, for the past few years, she has been living with Stephen and his family, enjoying their tender loving care, and welcoming family, friends and neighbours who drop in to say hello. Joyce and Will both live nearby, and visit their mother daily.

Blanche celebrated her 100th birthday with an Open House - attended by 100 people, all of whose names she remembered. Special guests were her sisters Dorcas Bursey, 96, of St. John's, and Gladys Barrett, 88, from Vancouver, as well as Mayor George Butt and M.P. George Sweeney. She was interviewed on radio and television, and enjoyed her 100th birthday celebration immensely.   Submitted By: NULL