RITA MAE ROWLAND

Rita Mae Rowland was born in Belize City, Belize, on April 27, 1957, to Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert and Olive Cutkelvin and raised in a robust and loving family that included 11 siblings. Rita immigrated to the United States with her family as a teenager; she graduated from Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Excelsior College in Albany, New York. Her interests in fabric work, sewing, and home decor served her well as she was employed in a women's clothing boutique after graduation. But a chance encounter with a neighborhood boy and her desire to have children and start a family set in motion a future more exceptional than previously imagined. 

Rita met Phillip Rowland, her forever love, in Brooklyn, New York, and married in Panama City, Panama, and through their union, had three children — Brian, Nicole, and Taisha, respectively. Throughout her life, Rita Mae was a devoted military wife and loving mother—dedicated to her family and supporting her husband throughout his military career while serving as a leader and mentor to hundreds of Commissioned Officers' and Non-Commissioned Officers' (NCO's) wives at numerous duty stations. As a military spouse, Rita was the cornerstone of the family, and her charisma, strength, and grace will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know her. 

In 2019, Rita was diagnosed with breast cancer and went into remission in 2021. Rita was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time in 2022, but, despite her diagnosis, she always maintained her positive outlook, contagious laughter, hope, love of and faith in Christ. On the evening of Saturday, 15th day of July 2023, Rita went to be with her Heavenly Father. She left this world surrounded by family with peace in her heart.

She will be remembered in all her beloved roles: daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents Hilbert and Olive Cutkelvin; siblings Lydia, Henry, and Claude. Surviving are her doting husband, Phil; children, Brian, Nicole, and Taisha; grandson, Christian; siblings, Roy, Jennifer, Michael, Glenford, Mark, Hilbert Jr., Deborah, and Margaret; aunt, Pearl; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends from childhood and throughout her life which was full of duty and devotion to those she loved. 

"I may not know what tomorrow holds (…), but I know who holds tomorrow. For we walk by faith, not by sight." 

– I Don't Know About Tomorrow, Ira F. Stanphill and 2 Corinthians 5:7

As an alternative to flowers, we would also like to present people with the option to donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Rita's honor – the website link is: 

Breast Cancer Foundation | Susan G. Komen®