Melody Rowley  (November 22, 1944 to March 7, 2023)

Melody Ann (Ludvigsen) Rowley was the most loving wife, the perfect mother, wonderful grandmother and great grandmother, sweetest aunt and sister, and loyal friend.  She joined the angels and saints in heaven on March 7, 2023, after a short, five-month battle with cancer.  Melody spent her final days surrounded by most of her Rowley Clan – including her loving husband, Tim, her children and several grandchildren.  Melody left a lasting impression on everyone she met.  She never knew a stranger and could make a friend with anyone – there was never anyone that she disliked.  She was such a special person, who could light up a room with her smile and bring joy and happiness to everyone.  It was such a gift to have known Melody Rowley.

Melody lived quite an amazing life.  She was born (November 22, 1944) the youngest of three children (Kelly Ludvigsen and Shelly Leach) to Leo and Connie Ehrman in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Melody's mother and father ran the Gull Lake Country Club and the Colony Club in Kalamazoo.  She spent her childhood summers on Gull Lake, where she held many cherished memories.  Melody lost her father, whom she called "Daddy Leo", at just six years old and lost her mother at just fifteen years old.  After her father passed, her mother married E.L. Ludvigsen, who adopted Melody as a daughter.  Melody was joined by her new stepbrothers, Carl and Eric Ludvigsen.  After Connie passed, E.L. then married Molly Ludvigsen, who became a stepmother to Melody and later grandmother to her children.  Melody attended several schools growing up, including St. Augustine grade school and a boarding school.  Melody endured all of these tragedies, changes and experiences, and it made her a stronger person and gave her an appreciation for what was truly important in life to her – stability, family and faith.

Melody then attended St. Augustine High School.  That's when her life changed forever.  Melody met the love of her life, Tim Rowley, during her freshman year in high school.  She found her perfect match – the person who would bring her the things that were important to her.  She and Tim began a great love story that lasted for over 60 years – serving as the perfect role models for their children, grandchildren and others that knew them. They dated for several years and married in 1963, immediately embracing Monsignor Keating's direction, "Marriage isn't 50/50%, but 100/100%," and they followed that motto for the rest of their marriage.

Melody was embraced by the Rowley family, especially Tim's mother (Irene), father (Bob) and Tim's three brothers and sister (Jack, Bobby, Jane and Mike).  Melody cherished the large Irish, Catholic family and the love that Irene and Bob shared in their home.  In 1964, Melody and Tim started their family and had four children five years apart – Todd, Steve, Tammy and Myra.  Needless to say, this was a very active family.  Their children were always their pride and joy, and they did anything to make them happy and provide them the ideal environment to grow up, build their own families, maintain their Catholic faith and be successful.

Melody and Tim moved their family from Kalamazoo to Aurora, Illinois in 1969.  They raised their family in Aurora and made dozens of life-long friends.  Melody was a devoted wife and dedicated mother and became an active contributor and leader in the children's schools (Holy Angels Church and School, Marmion Military Academy and Rosary High School) and the community.  One of her greatest contributions was serving as president of the Marmion Mother's Club. Melody was tireless in her commitment to her family, through all of the children's activities – baseball, football, basketball, swimming, cheerleading and more.  Melody had a deep faith and incredible strength, and she instilled that faith in her family.  She had a special devotion to Mother Mary.  She demonstrated that strength and faith with such grace up until the end of her life.

After almost 20 years in Aurora, Melody and Tim moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1987 for Tim's new role at Lozier.  Melody and Tim spent almost 30 years in Omaha and made dozens and dozens of friends.  Melody was so social, being involved in Welcome Wagon, bridge clubs, golf leagues and church groups.  She kept Tim's social calendar full.

After 30 years in Omaha, Melody and Tim made the decision to move to the Dallas area. Once again, Melody stayed very social – joining the Church Rosary Club, a bridge club, the Republican club and other activities.  Unfortunately, Melody's health held her back from being as active as she traditionally had been.

If you had the privilege to meet her, you knew Melody was just fun – plain and simple – and she made everyone around her have fun and feel welcomed!!  She especially enjoyed doting on her grandchildren.  She loved large family dinners.  She loved all types of music (50's, 70's, rock, country, and more) and, boy, did she love to dance.  She was famous for enjoying her Mimi Martinis!!!  You were blessed to have known Melody Rowley.  As children and grandchildren of Melody Rowley, we were all super blessed.  And, as her husband, Tim, would tell you he was the luckiest man in the world.

Melody leaves behind her husband of almost 60 years, Tim Rowley, her children and their spouses – Todd and Nancy (deceased) Rowley of Leawood, KS, Steve and Sue Rowley of Milton, GA, Tammy and Tony Schroer of Northlake, TX and Myra and Jay Peterson of Nashville, TN.  She also leaves behind her grandchildren Colleen (Brett), Timmy (Kelsey), Ryan, Collin, Nick, Maggie (Nick), Jake, Matthew, Andrew and Jack and her great grandchildren Beckett, Rowley, Stevie, Mack and Nancy Jane.  She also leaves behind her sister, Shelly (Larry) Leach of Richardson, TX and step-brother Carl Ludvigsen.  Melody was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Connie Ehrman, step-parents E.L. and Molly Ludvigsen, brother Kelly Ludvigsen and step-brother Eric Ludvigsen.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church in Argyle, TX at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 and a public viewing at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service.  Arrangements are being organized by Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home in Denton, Texas.

Memorial contributions can be made to: American Cancer Society at https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Melody-Rowley-Memorial-Fund or mailed to: PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741 noting the Melody Rowley Memorial Fund; or to St. Mark Catholic Church in memory of Melody Rowley.