ROCKLAND — On Friday, November 1, 2019, Arline Rowling, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Topsham.

Arline was born on December 29, 1930 in Augusta, Maine, the youngest child of Odile Castonguay and Arthur Lemieux. Nicknamed “Popeye” as a child, she was a strong, hard-working woman. A 1948 graduate of Cony
High School, she worked as a secretary after school.

She married Frank Russell and they had two children, who were later adopted by her second husband, Philip Rowling Jr of Rockland, who she married in 1957. Together they celebrated 58 years of marriage together adding seven more children to their family. Arline was a strong, independent Navy wife and mom while Phil served his country.

She was well known as a friendly, kind lady, quick to strike up a conversation with anyone she met. She created beautiful quilts and was a volunteer with the Navy Relief Society, donating hundreds of crocheted baby layettes.

Arline was a wonderful cook and was named the number one cook in new England by Yankee magazine in 1992. She loved gardening, traveling camping, and family times. She and Phil volunteered at the Oyster River
Range, Lobster Festival, and The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Fair. They were also active members of the churches they attended through the years including Littlefield Memorial Baptist, South Hope Community, and Living Hope Presbyterian churches.

Arline was predeceased by her husband, Phil, and two infant children; and will be greatly missed by her 7 children, their spouses, 15 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

An informal reception to celebrate Arline’s life will be held Wednesday, November 6, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home’s reception facility on 104 Limerock St., in Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with the Rowling family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com.