Rowley, Florence Matilda “Tillie”,
Peacefully, with family by her side, on December 20, 2025, at Matthews House Hospice, Alliston, Florence Matilda “Tillie” passed away at the age of 84. Beloved wife of the late Melville Rowley. Cherished mother of Sheila (Chuck) Schneider, Steven (Dawn) Rowley and Jennifer (Ken) Bayers. Loved grandmother of Brandon (Annie) Schneider, Jaclynn (Tyler) Williams, Kyle Rowley, Cole Bayers, and Matthew Bayers. Loving great-grandmother of Ethan, Zoe, and Renn.
Tillie will be sadly missed by her siblings Jim (Catherine) Sheehan, the late Fergus Sheehan, the late Roseanne (Gerry) Ferrier, Gerald (Lenore) Sheehan, and Francis (Rosemary) Sheehan. Forever in the hearts of her nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
The family will receive friends at Rod Abrams Funeral Home, 1666 Tottenham Rd., Tottenham (905-936-3477), on Saturday, December 27, 2025, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Mission (Achill), 2458 4th Line of Adjala, Loretto, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. A reception will be held in the church hall following the Mass, prior to interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 12 Cemetery Rd., Orangeville, ON.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tillie’s memory may be made to Matthews House Hospice. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at
www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.
Service
Visitation
Rod Abrams Funeral Home Ltd.
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham, ON L0G1W0
Saturday December 27, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm
Funeral Mass
St. Mary's Mission (Achill)
2458 4th Line, Loretto, ON L0G 1L0
Saturday December 27, 20251:00pm
Internment
Forest Lawn Cemetery
12 Cemetery Rd, Orangeville, ON L9W 2Z1
Saturday December 27, 2025
Teresa (Blake) Finnerty says
What a wonderful teacher Tillie ws to me when I went to Adjala Central then later in life as I worked at James Dick with Melville and we crossed paths again with Tillie. She was still that same caring lovable person who had helped me back in grade school. My condolences to the family.
Randy and Alison Patton says
So sorry to hear. Tilley was an amazing woman. Sending our condolences to you all. Tilley has created so many memories with you all, she will always be with you❤️
Love Randy and Alison
Anne O’Brien and family says
We are so sorry for your loss. Tillie was a cherished cousin of our mom. She was truly a beautiful soul — her kindness, laughter, and warm smile will always be remembered.xo
Julie kearney says
To Sheila and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother, she was such a beautiful lady! She always had the cutest smile on.
Our deepest condolences to you all
In our thoughts and prayers
Love
Julie and Eileen Kearney
Anne O’Brien and Family says
Our deepest condolences to all of Tillie’s family. She was a cherished cousin to our mom and always smiling, with a wonderful sense of humour and so incredibly kind. xo
Kevin and Cheryl Boston says
Our deepest sympathies to the Rowley and Sheehan families. Wishing you all strength and comfort as you mourn this loss. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Michelle Canning- Porteous (Calgary, Alberta) says
Mrs Rowley was my favourite teacher. She was always glad to see you when you entered class and her laugh was beautiful and contagious.
She was filled with kindness, love and laughter and she will be missed. My condolences to family and whoever had the blessing of knowing her. She will be missed.
Melody and Rick Darling says
Sheila, Steve and Jen and families
Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a sweet lady, who always loved to laugh.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lynn Ratuszny says
My deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom. Tillie and your Dad opened their home to me and I will forever be grateful. Although the ‘old’ jokes flowed Tillie always had the kindest heart and best laugh that kept her forever young. May all your wonderful memories bring you comfort.
Margaret Keenan says
My sincere condolences to the Rowley and Sheehan families. Tillie will be missed by all who knew her.
Maureen McKenna and Phillip Gutwein says
My condolences to all the Sheehan family in this time of loss.
Lori Wilcox says
To Sheila & family & Jim Sheehan & family.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I knew Mrs. Rowley as a classmate’s (Sheila)mom & as a teacher at Adjala. It was always fun to be in her class. She was a kind,lovely person. My sincere condolences.
Lori Wilcox (nee Tumber)
Lorraine Guerreiro says
Sheila Schneider
If, and I think you are… the lovely cheerful woman I knew from years ago I am now reaching out with my hands to both of your hands to give a gentle squeeze in sympathy and support while you journey through this chapter of your life. Losing a parent is never easy and often a bit of a shock even when end of life is expected. May your faith sustain you and your family. May you come to realize your mom has achieved her purpose here on earth and that the love she gave you and others remain…and like the spirit of Christmas can continue to be shared with others.
Rob and Deb Evans says
Dear Steve, Sheila, Jennifer and families,
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your mom and grandmother. We know she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Barry Munro says
Steve , Sheila & Jennifer , it has been awhile since we have connected but it seems like yesterday we would be visiting at the farm or up at the cottage . My memories of Tillie and all of us together were some of the best . Tillie always had a smile . She made everyone happy with her energy and smile . I can only imagine the laughs she are having now with Jim , Joan and your Dad .
Lorraine Guerreiro says
Dear Steve (& Dawn and Kyle)
Sincere sympathies on the passing of your Mom ( mother-in-law and grand-mother).
You and your siblings have already experienced the passing of your dad so you know the heartache and feelings of loss. May this void of missing your mom’s presence be filled again overtime.
Give yourselves permission to grieve now. Then simply be thankful whenever the memories of the many little things she said and did are recalled. Know that you are not alone and others care in understanding what you are going through.
Lorraine Guerreiro says
Dear Jim Sheehan (& Catherine and family)
Heartfelt sympathies on the passing of your sister Tilly (sister-in-law and aunt). Thank you for letting me know she had passed away and your connection as her sibling. During this emotionally difficult time may you be strengthen, comforted, supported by a wide caring community. May your sister’s spirit and legacy of love remain in your hearts and in the recalled stories shared together. May she RIP.
Gail Roffey says
Tillie was a great lady. Always
looked forward to seeing her
every time I went to see my
Aunt Leona at simcoe village.
I called her Aunt Tillie all the time.
She thought that was great.
May she rest in peace.
Love you Tillie.
Gail and Rick Roffey
Leona Irvine
Linda Armstrong says
Sheila, Steve and Jennifer
I was so sad to hear of your mother’s passing. We worked together at Adjala Central school for some years . Sheila I think I was your Kindergarten teacher. Jennifer I remember when your mom told me you were expected.
I remember a trip to your cottage in northern Ontario and blueberry picking. Your mom decided to make a pie but had no rolling pin so she used a quart sealer and the impression of the jar was on the pastry. Your dad took us to the island to meet the hermit who lived there. A 2 litre bottle of pop exploded in the store and cut your dad but we had gotten you kids ice cream and you were safely outside on the swings
Your Mom had the best laugh and I loved the way she said the word beautiful
Love to you
Dave McGovern says
I pass my deepest condolences to Sheila Steve and Jennifer and extended family on your mothers passing
May Mrs Rowley rest in peace
Ginny & Ivor Cathcart says
Dear Sheila & family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of Tillie. I always heard such lovely stories about her. Holding you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Kate, Dave, Jerrad, and Josh Smith says
To the Rowley Families
We are very sorry for your loss.
Our deepest condolences
Meredith Blazys says
Tillie was one in a million. It meant a great deal to me to have shared time with her, and to have been part of her care. She was truly special. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Candace and Michael Walmsley says
We were so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was the kindest person we knew and always so much fun to be around. Tillie always had a smile on her face, was always positive and such a great friend. When the Cottage girls got together you could always count on Tillie to make us laugh with her quick wit. She was also a wonderful mentor to me when she taught at Adjala Public School.
Our condolences to the entire family. You were all very fortunate to have such a caring mother who loved you all dearly.
She will be sorely missed. Try to focus on all the good times and great memories you have.
Again, our sincere condolences to the entire family.
Candace and Michael Walmsley
MaryLou, Paul and Jessica Maher says
Dear Sheila, Steven, Jennifer and families,
Remembering what a special lady Tillie was, and what a good friend she was to mom. She was always so kind and thoughtful. May the many good memories you shared, bring you comfort during this time. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Lucille Knowlton says
Sheila, Steve & Jennifer: My sincere condolences on the loss of your Mom. She truly was a lovely lady. Got to know her through your Dad at James Dick. Sincerely, Lucille Knowlton
Barb and Eric Holmes says
We extend our condolences to the Rowley family. We knew Tillie as a teacher to our kids at Adjala, and her and your Dad at various social functions… then I was reacquainted with her at Kingsmere.
She was an always smiling!
Donal Blacklaws says
My sincerest condolences to Tillies
family / families .
God Bless All .
DB .
Joe Keenan says
Please accept our sincerest sympathy to Tillie’s family. She was a wonderful lady.
Sheila ( Hamill) Suknandan says
Dear Sheila, Steven, Jennifer and family.
My sincere condolences on the loss of your Mom. She was a lovely and delightful lady and my favorite teacher at Adjala Central. Our parents were friends for many years, meeting at community events and school functions, farming close by, my Mom ( Marge) and Dad (Jim) always enjoyed a chat with them. In later years my Mom often spoke of having a lovely chat with your Mom when they met up at seniors activities. Thinking of you at this difficult time and I will remember her fondly for her kindness and caring nature.
Sincerely
Sheila (Hamill) Suknandan
Barbara & David Bricknell and Family says
Please accept our sincere condolences on your Mom’s passing. She was such a kindhearted woman. She always had time for a chat. We are sorry for your loss.
Nathalie Cyr says
I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to you all!! Tillie was a beautiful soul with a heart of gold. She will be truly missed at the Simcoe village family!! My heart goes out to you all