Rowene C Mahoney

Rowene Charlotte (Gabriel) Mahoney passed from this world in the comfort of her home with her family on June 7, 2020, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born on March 9, 1925 to Roy and Charlotte Gabriel of Owen, Wisconsin. Her childhood was filled with personal sacrifice in the years of the Great Depression, when people had next to nothing. In 1943 she graduated from Owen High School. Lessons learned from her early years likely gave her the fortitude to forge new ground, for a young woman of these times. She fulfilled her aspirations to become a pianist, graduating with the class of 1947 at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin. As a member of Alpha Chi Omega, she continued throughout her life as an alumni sorority sister, receiving her 50-year award in 1997. Members of her local chapter will miss her dearly. With her college major in music, the stage was set for a lifetime devotion to sharing the joy and pleasure of music with others. Rowene was an accomplished pianist. When given the chance to play, it was mesmerizing for those fortunate enough to listen. Her family was in awe when she played her piano for them on her 95th birthday in March of this year. Rowene was an active member of the Pikes Peak Music Teachers Association. She was honored numerous times in her life with awards for her accomplishments as a piano teacher. Not long after college she married W. J. "Bill" Mahoney Jr. in 1948 in Abbotsford, Wisconsin. She converted to the Catholic Church and devotedly practiced her faith, including many years as a church organist. Moving to West Allis, Wisconsin, Bill and Rowene began their family with the first of four children born in Milwaukee. Her vocation now became raising children and keeping a comfortable home for her family. Moving to El Paso, Texas and the birth of a second child, and then back to Owen, where two more children were born. She deeply loved her children, whom she nurtured and enjoyed. Her family life included frequent trips to the cabin they built on Soo Lake, Phillips, Wisconsin. A move to West Covina, California (1961-1964) was followed by a move back to Owen. While raising her family, she taught piano lessons and spread her love of music to a multitude of children, influencing generations of young musicians in Wisconsin, Florida and Colorado. Once children were raised, she moved with her husband to Clearwater, Florida, then resided in a home on Emma Lake in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and finally in 1992 moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. In the early years, she enjoyed the outdoors, spending time at the cabin and later camping throughout Wisconsin and the Great Lakes with her family. Rowene always enjoyed music and playing piano. She liked going to concerts and local events and participated in a variety of family activities with her children, grand and great grandchildren throughout Colorado. She loved to return each summer to Wisconsin to visit family and friends there and spend time at the lake. She is affectionately known as "Gigi" to her loving great grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her parents, Roy and Charlotte Gabriel, and husband Bill Mahoney Jr. She is survived by her brother, Earl Gabriel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sons, Kevin Mahoney, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Brian Mahoney, Tampa, Florida, two daughters, Susan "Dusie" Mahoney and Colleen "Kye" Mahoney, Colorado Springs, Colorado, nieces, nephews and grand and great grandchildren. Charitable donations may be made to: Pikes Peak Music Teacher's Association Web: https://www.ppmta.org/ Service Information Funeral Mass Tuesday June 16, 2020 10:00 AM Corpus Christi Catholic Church 2318 North Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80907