Pauline LaRowe
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Pauline (Pinette) LaRowe, 79, of Griswold died Jan. 27, 2023, at Colonial Health and Rehab Center, following an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Aug. 1, 1943, in Brunswick, Maine, to the late Raymond and Alvine (Dubois) Pinette.
She spent the first 14 years of her life in Brunswick, Maine, and attended Saint John’s Catholic School. Once she and her family moved to Taftville, she graduated from the Holy Family Academy in Baltic. In 1958, she met her future husband, and they were married May 18, 1963.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years Richard; a son Rick and wife Tracey of Franklin, Mass.; a daughter Diane LaRowe Crumb and Aaron Rockwell of Central Village; and daughter Sheri LaRowe Cooke. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Lisa LaRowe, Tim LaRowe, Brian LaRowe and Declan Cooke. She was the oldest of four sisters, Rose Pinette of Bloomfield, plus deceased sisters, Alice Van Houton and Maryann Brooks. She also leaves behind a sister-in-law, Melody Dineen of Groton. Pauline also leaves her cat Callie; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, and countless friends and lives she touched throughout her life.
Pauline was a hard worker. Her sense of humor was second to none and she was as compassionate as she was funny. Even when ill, she was never angry, sad, or depressed – she could find the silver lining to keep pushing forward in any situation. She represented the good that we all need every day in our lives. She was one of a select few who could actually rise to meet challenges with a smile.
She had many jobs throughout her life, from Strick’s Bakery to the Peddler, the
Chronicle, and the Norwich Bulletin, to the CFO of LaRowe Painting & Decorating – a business she ran with her husband, and lastly, the Jewett City Savings Bank.
Pauline was an avid crafter, delighting family and friends with her beautiful embroidery, needlepoint, quilts, and crocheting. She loved gardening, especially growing flowers. There was always a bouquet of her fresh cut blooms in the house. Plus, she was a great cook.
She raised her family with fun-filled trips to the beaches and mountains. It was all about enjoying their time and life together. Most importantly, Pauline was a loving and selfless wife and mother to her family. She was one of the most responsible, thoughtful people the world has ever known. Pauline was loved by all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.
Her entire family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Health and Rehab Center for their tireless help, support, understanding, prayers, and love during Pauline’s illness. We will never forget all that you’ve done.
Family and friends are invited to join in Pauline’s Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Feb. 11, 2023, at Sacred Heart Church, Providence Street, Taftville. Interment will immediately follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Norwich. A Celebration of Pauline’s Life will follow. The Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City, has been entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences, please go to www.gagnefuneralhome. com.
It was Pauline’s wish in lieu of flowers that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, or any personal favorite charity.