Last Stand (and Key West) loses a shining light

With greatest sympathy and regret, Last Stand would like to express our sorrow at the loss of long-time active member Sheila Rowan.  Sheila was always a staunch public activist, never hesitating to speak her mind to the powers that be, and always with the greater good of the community in mind.  Her wit and wisdom will be sorely missed throughout the Keys community.

As a remembrance, here's a reprint of Sheila's Key West Citizen "Volunteers of the Year" award for 2008:

Our most sincere condolences to Bill, and to Sheila and Bill's sons.

Sheila's life will be celebrated at the Key West Garden Club (at the West Martello Tower on Higgs Beach) this Saturday from 6pm to 9pm.

Friday, Aug 8 update: Past Editor of the Solares Hill newspaper -- and Last Stand member (and former director) -- Nancy Klingener wrote a fitting remembrance of Sheila for today's Solares Hill.  A copy of it is saved here for your convenience. (Also see the comments section of this post for responses from others who have known and loved Sheila.)

Sunday, August 10 update: Also don't miss the extended remembrance of Sheila written by Nancy's husband Mark Hedden, a columnist for the Key West Citizen.  The article is available on their website, here: click

Copies of that and other articles are also available on the Last Stand website:

• Island city will miss Mrs. Peacon Lane
• Sheila Rowan’s Legacy
• Cursing a good life: Remembering a close friend

Comments

[John Mertz]

Our hearfelt condolences to Bill and family. And thanks to both of you for being part of the corps of intelligent, involved, and public spirited people who have provided an anchor of common sense and hard work for our whole community over the years.

Sincerely,
John & Karen Mertz

[Margaret Domanski]

Ken and I extend our deepest sympathy to all the members of Sheila's family. She will be very difficult to replace in Key West - if replacing her is even possible - most likely not. What we so admired about Sheila was how courteous she always was in her public opposition to policies that could damage Key West's heritage, culture, and architecture. With her soft, yet firm, voice Sheila made her opinions known and the manner in which they were delivered always left her opinion in consideration - a presentation style unique to her person and intelligence and one all activists can learn from. We take solace in knowing that Sheila's many contributions to preserving Key West will live on for many years to come. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to all to knew and loved her.

Sincerely
Margaret and Ken Domanski

[Tom Milone]

Sheila and I attended many of the same meetings. That's how we met and got to know each other. She was a dedicated, diligent, well informed, articulate community activist. Sheila was a student of community issues learning all she could about them. When she spoke up at public meetings, her comments were always worth listening to. She always had the best interests of our community at heart. To say that Sheila will be missed is a gross understatement.

[David Lybrand]

I'm sure going to miss hearing those magic words several times at each City meeting that I attend....

"Sheila Rowan....Three Two One Peekin' Lane"

(Yeah, I know it's "Peacon".)

But much more importantly, I'm going to miss the person who spoke those words. Godspeed Sheila.

[Bob & Janet Kelly]

Sheila was the paragon of a public citizen. She asked the simple questions, like "why are we doing this", "who benefits from doing that", or "can we do this in a different or better way". She performed her civic duty and was always genteel in how she did it. Like the others, I will miss seeing her. Our condolences to her loving family. She was the personification of the One Human Family principle. May the angels lift her up.

[George Halloran]

Sheila accomplished so much in such a calm, intelligent fashion. Never mean, never angry - just right there with the facts and the right answers. She ranks with Larry Gomez, Bill Westray and Bill Huckel as one of the all time Key West activists over the last 35 years. Her illness didn't handicap her - it seemed to inspire her. I'll miss her smiling face, her warmth and encouragement, and the comfort her dedication brought, knowing she was on the case - every case. George