Ellis, Rowena Catherine
1973-2016

After a life-long struggle with a congenital heart condition and various other physical and psychological disabilities, Rowena died peacefully on June 10, 2016 at the age of 43, surrounded by her immediate family. Rowena was predeceased by her mother Freda (nee Bartholomew) and her father Peter. She is survived by her stepmother Norma (nee Wheeler), her brother Richard (Dawn Edlund), her uncle Roger Bartholomew (Trudy, nee Owen), her aunt Sheila Stenton (late Frank), her step-uncle Raymond Wheeler (Jennifer) and her cousins John Bartholomew, Lesley Malouin and Tony Stenton. A lover of animated movies, very bad jokes, cats and dogs, the Simpsons and science fiction and fantasy novels, Rowena was an avid reader and a prolific amateur writer and artist. She was a sweet and gentle soul, if occasionally temperamental, and loved by all who cared for her. Most of all, she was tough, bearing the consequences of her medical conditions with a stoicism that few could match. Rowena's family wishes to thank the staff at the Glebe Centre, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Salus Homes - particularly the nursing and social work staff - for their tremendous care and support of Rowena throughout her adult life. A memorial service will be held at Mackay United Church, 39 Dufferin Road, Ottawa on Friday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m. In memory of Rowena, donations can be made to one or more of the above institutions. Tributes may be sent via Lifetimes at www.beechwoodottawa.ca