Janice Rowsey, resident in Brookwood at Brethren Care Village, has lived a life full of melodies, crescendos and fortes.
Born and raised in Ashland, Rowsey has fond memories of her childhood, including singing in a trio with her two sisters, Shirley and Margaret. According to Rowsey, Shirley sang alto, Margaret played the piano and sang lower alto and Rowsey sang soprano.
Together the trio traveled to many places to share their gift of music, including Argentina and the Carolinas.
“We liked to sing most anything. Some of our favorites were “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and church music,” Rowsey said.
Rowsey has learned to play the piano, keyboard and organ over the years and has taken her passion and knowledge of music with her to different jobs and hobbies, including one as a choir director.
She has also worked various jobs throughout her lifetime including directing truck traffic for The Ohio Department of Transportation and working in the sales department at the Home Company. No matter what Rowsey did or where she went, she brought her love of music with her.
Rowsey was also a part of a group called the Golden Serenaders later on in her life. The musical group allowed her to pursue singing with others at community halls, churches and schools in the surrounding counties.
“Singing brings joy to people. There is something about a song that just perks you up,” Rowsey said.
The Golden Serenaders often performed at Brookwood at Brethren Care Village. Through her visits with the group, Rowsey already made up her mind as to where she wanted to live before she was ready to make a move to her new permanent home.
Brookwood allows Rowsey to continue her passion of music by having her lead choir and supplying a piano for her to play and sing her favorite tunes, including “Jesus Loves Me.”
They also provide her with the right amount of care she needs.
“Everybody is really so wonderful. The trips they plan for us are really nice, we have a good time,” Rowsey said. “I have a lot of friends. I think everybody is my friend.”
Rowsey often spends her spare time doing puzzles with her friends, reading, visiting with her family and singing.
When asked what music means to her, Rowsey said with a glint in her eye; “Music can bring memories and it can bring cheer, it can even bring sadness. To me, music is one of the things in life we can’t do without. We have to have it.”
For more information or to schedule a visit for you or your loved ones who can continue sharing their joy and passions, contact Brethren Care Village at (419) 289-1585.
