Funeral of last remaining founding family member of WC Rowe

Josephine Elise Rowe from Mabe died on July 15, aged 94, surrounded by her family at home

More than 80 people attended her funeral on July 31 at St Laudus Church in Mabe with 30 more coming to her wake afterwards.

Josephine helped found W C Rowes alongside her brother William Rowe in 1948. The company, now known as just Rowes after it was taken over, donated hundreds of pasties to be eaten by people at her wake.

Josephine Rowe with her two children Dave and Janet (Image: Rowe Family)

Originally WC Rowe operated from what is now Dig ‘n’ Delve on Swanpool Street where Josephine worked for 12 years before moving to Mabe to open up the village shop with her husband Bill Matthews

The youngest of five children to Ellen and Joseph Rowe, she was born at home at Park View, Helston on January 15, 1930.

Josephine making a pasty with Dean (Image: Rowe Family)

When she left school she got a job in local government and was all set to make a career out of it. However, in her eulogy, her son Dave Matthews said in those days you did what your father told you.

He said when her older brother William, or Bill as they all knew him, left the air force and became a baker she left her job and, as per father’s instructions, moved from Helston to Falmouth as her brother’s housekeeper and assistant in the newly formed bakery.

During this time she met and courted Bill Matthews from Porthleven and they married in October 1950.

Josephine Rowe (Image: Rowe Family)

They both lived above the bakehouse and shop for 12 years whilst the foundations of the WC Rowe Bakery were being laid and during that time in 1952 the first of their two children Janet was born.

Around this time they decided on opening a village shop in Mabe. They worked extremely hard building up the business, with Josephine working every day in the shop as well as bringing up her daughter.

In 1961 they had their second child, Dave, and in 1962, they moved into their new home in Mabe before it was even finished.

“I don’t think it was finished but good enough to live in and I remember mum telling me how long she had to wait for painted walls, carpets and some bits of furniture,” said Dave.

Over the years she worked daily in the shop, her place behind the counter serving her customers. Dave said she was well liked in the village, most of whom knew each other in those days.

“She loved people, so mum thrived on her daily chats with everyone, always interested and willing to help where possible,” he said in her eulogy.

Not content with the grocery stores they added a fish and chip shop, a post office and a petrol pump before turning it all into the latest innovation at that time known as a mini-supermarket.

The final extension to their business adventure was the opening of Mabe’s first newsagents.

Her husband Bill also played in his own dance band which proved a lucrative sideline.

This led them to be able to take some wonderful adventures around the world even visiting Russia and travelling the silk route.

However, her favourite place was Austria. She adored the coffee coloured cows with their bells round their necks and the beautiful mountain scenery.

“She even bought and wore the Tyrolean lederhosen, boots and britches whilst almost annually making trips back to the Alps for more schnapps and fondue,” said Dave.

She loved travelling, exploring new cultures and meeting new people. A gift of a cruise from their daughter to the fjords of Norway and Scandinavia led to a lifelong love of cruise trips.

When Bill passed away in his 70s, Josephine moved in with her son and was part of his family, along with his four cats which she loved, for over a decade.

She passed away at his home surrounded by her family and her grandchildren.

Dave said his mum possessed a wicked and witty sense of humour that remained sharp almost to her dying day.

“A truly selfless, kind hearted, gentle lady, loved and respected by so many people in her life,” he said. “She was especially proud to have had her DNA checked a few Christmas’s ago with the glowing result of her roots going back over 300 years here in her beloved Cornwall.”

He added: “There are many people, especially younger folks, who met mum through our children when visiting the house and all of them have said how they were made to feel part of her family.

“A surrogate mother and granny who they, and we, will all miss dearly but fondly remember for her warmth, love and hospitality.”