Doris E. Rowland, 89, of Peoria, Illinois passed peacefully on January 9, 2022 after a remarkable life.

Doris was born April 8, 1932 in Lansing, Michigan to the late John and Addie May Watson. She married

her loving husband, Thomas S. Rowland, on November 27, 1957 in California. He preceded her in death

on January 24, 2016.

Doris grew up on the shores of Lake Huron and once saved a young red-headed neighbor from

drowning when he fell into a submerged well. She was independent and strong-minded, putting herself

through the first two years of college and eventually graduating summa cum laude with a degree in

philosophy. She loved to swim, write, and walk in the woods, where she took beautiful photos

throughout her life.

Tom was born in Lexington, Kentucky to Lester and Mary Rowland on April 2, 1925. He was a good

storyteller with a wry sense of humor who fondly recalled growing up on the family farm. He was a

teacher at heart, whether calmly explaining algebra or the best way to shift gears. After serving during

World War II, Tom taught for a few years and then began working at NASA as a mathematician. He

loved folk dancing, reading, and eating Indian food.

Doris and Tom met at an international folk dance and soon became inseparable. Tom realized he

wanted to marry Doris as he watched her admiring a flower, dark hair glistening in the sun. A few days

later, she sat across from him in the black light of a pizza parlor. Tom was reciting nursery rhymes, his

white shirt glowing purple. At that moment, she knew she wanted to make a life with this gentle, funny

man.

They bought a small farm in Ohio, where they raised their children and a variety of animals, including

sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and guinea fowl. They took several long camping trips in the US and

Europe, pitching their big green canvas tent beside lakes and at the foot of mountains. Fond family

memories include taking countless hikes, digging for agates, exploring tidepools, and often stopping for

ice cream at 10 am.

Doris was quick-thinking and energetic, once expertly managing to slow the car while careening down

a German mountain after the brakes failed. Tom was patient and steady, helping Doris with whatever

project was at hand. Together, they planted hundreds of trees and turned a barren Ohio farm into a

lush wildlife refuge. In retirement, they traveled to Alaska and New Zealand and built a beautiful rock

wall around the garden of the home that Doris designed. Together, they taught their children to care

for nature, seek adventure, work hard, and strive to make the world a better place.

They are survived by their children Cheryl and Andrew Shull of Washington, Illinois; John and Lenae

Rowland of Texas; Sherman and Wendy Rowland of Massachusetts; and their four grandchildren

Warren, Greta, Somaiya, and Taylahna. Doris was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years,

Tom; sisters Dorothy Lock and Donna Kerr; and nephew Harry Kerr Jr. Tom was preceded in death by

his parents and sister Julia Breninger, with his youngest sister Eliza Bubb passing away in 2019.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to The

Nature Conservancy.