Irene B. Kuna Rowland

Irene B. Kuna Rowland, of Grants Pass, Oregon died at her home on November 29, 2006. Born on October 20, 1927 in Carbondale, PA, she was the daughter of the late Sylvester and Mary Kuna. She graduated from St. Rose High School, Carbondale, in 1947 as Class Salutatorian. A graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Cadet Program in 1948, she completed her B. S. in Education at Marywood College, Scranton, PA.

She was a member of the US Navy Nursing Corps and served on the USS Consolation during the Korean War followed by service at the Naval Hospital on Guam, Marianas Islands.

In 1954 she married Harry C. Rowland and became the Director of the School of Nursing for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands as well as a delegate for the U. S. Trusteeship of the Pacific Islands to the World Health Organization Conference in Thailand.

Upon retirement, the Rowlands settled in Grants Pass where Mrs. Rowland was an avid collector of sea shells and semiprecious rocks. Accompanied by her husband, she traveled throughout the country collecting specimens. She was a member of the Rogue Gem and Geology Club and a frequent volunteer for the Senior Programs in Josephine County.

Mrs. Rowland was well-loved by the community and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her son, Michael and his wife, Janet of Manassas, VA.; daughters, Jill and her husband Mar; and Carla Ann of Grants Pass. Grandchildren, Connie, Barbara, Michael, Jr., and Frederick all of Manassas; and sister, Anna Simonick of Damascus, MD. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry and by siblings, Andrew, Peter, Emil, Cecilia, Mary and Rose.

A memorial service will be held at Hull and Hull Funeral Directors at 612 NW A Street, Grants Pass at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 with interment at a later date at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Rowland requested contributions in her memory to be sent to The Jesse Duplantis Ministries, PO Box 2608, Hammond, LA 70404-2608.