Obituary of Peggy Jean Rowsell

Peggy Jean Rowsell Las Vegas, Nevada. Born on July 18, 1925, in Norwich, Norfolk, England, a second daughter and third child of Philip and Lillie Mae Lorne Armes. Peggy attended the Design School in Norwich before being conscripted into military service during WWII where she was posted to work as an inspector at a shoe factory. During the war years, Peggy met US Army-Air Corp officer Charles Dee Rowsell. They married on June 4, 1946, at St. Andrews, Norwich, Church of England, and Peggy would move to her husband's Salt Lake City hometown. Her husband built the house they raised their children in, and she lived in that house for 69 years. Peggy loved tennis, ice skating, and swimming, when the children were younger. Swimming was a family favorite and a pool was built in the back yard and used for many years. Peggy walked every day no matter the weather and walked many of the neighbor's dogs in her later years. Peggy was a member of the English War Brides and the English Speaking Union. Peggy also obtained her USA citizenship after 50 years in the United States and was asked to be a speaker at her Naturalization Ceremony in Salt Lake City. In Salt Lake City, they raised their three children who survive: Karen Marie Schwartz (James) of Fairfield, OH; Charles D. (Siew) Rowsell of Las Vegas, NV; and Charlayne Fliege (Stewart) Los Angeles/Brentwood, CA. Peggy was employed as a fashion consultant for the Loretta Young modeling agency. She was very fashion conscious and generously shared her critiques and extensive knowledge with the students. The modeling agency schooled many women who were in Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions. Peggy learned the sport of fencing as part of the model training. As a devoted member of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Salt Lake City, Peggy served the church as a Sunday school teacher for 20 years and was a member of St. Margaret's Guild and St. Catherine's Guild. Peggy was a member the Diocesan Altar Guild which was responsible for making and repairing the linens and ecclesiastical garments and vestments for the clergy. Peggy was widely recognized for her excellent handwork, and her handwork was worn by priests and bishops throughout the country. A highlight of her creativity was designing and making the festival banners for the dedication of the New St. Mark's Hospital in 1973. Her own clothing that Peggy custom made in the 1950's, 60s, and 70's was donated to the Salt Lake City Junior College Design School along with fabrics, hats, gloves and sewing equipment. The custom clothing items are being used in school displays and student demonstrations of sewing techniques. The 1945 wedding dress she wore was included in her donation and displayed at a special collection of WWII wedding gowns. For many years Peggy took in student lodgers who were attending St. Mark's School which provided excellent opportunities for aspiring Olympic skiers. Peggy enjoyed being a surrogate house mother for her favored students, Chris and twins Scott and Tom Bell, as well as Nobuhiro Ikehata and Gota Miura of Japan. Gardening was very important to Peggy and carried the passion from her English garden culture. The front and back yards to the house were large and she grew amazing roses, a rock garden including driftwood from the mountains, tulips from the Netherlands, and her prize Mr. Lincoln roses in the front yard. As soon as spring had sprung, Peggy was working in the garden and putting out new plantings to enjoy all summer. Many neighbors would share their vegetable gardens with each other. In addition to her children mentioned above, Peggy leaves three grandchildren: Charles Albert Luxford, (Carol), Round Rock, Texas; Taylor David Luxford, (Amy), Paris, Tennessee; Cortney Philip Luxford, (Marnie), Incline Village, Nevada. Four great grandchildren: Aiden Charles and Owen Reed Luxford of Round Rock, Texas; Taylor Randy Luxford of Paris, Tennessee; and Brianne Grace Luxford of Incline Village, Nevada. Also, sister-in-law Jill Armes, nieces Carolyn, Katy, nephews, Christopher, Michael and David of England, and Richard in Arizona and Dorian in California. Peggy was preceded by her older brother Philip Ronald Derek Armes in Norwich, England, who was an expert photographer, and older sister Ellen Evadna Armes. Memorial Service is pending at St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake City.