Obituary of Sarah Amelia Eliza Rowan

(Sawah Wowan)

Nīnághà K'āsónà

 Bear Direction

March 29, 2003 - Calgary, Alberta
May 21, 2023 - Tsuut'ina, Alberta
 

Sarah Rowan of Tsuut'ina Nation, AB, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at the age of 20 years young.

Sawah had zest for life, always jokingly fighting with her papa, and made many friends wherever she went. She travelled all over North America with her family to many pow wows, camping, ceremonies, and family vacations. Traditional Tsuut’ina and Cree culture is what she grew up with, honoured, and practiced throughout her lifetime. She loved all her siblings, nieces, nephews, and any baby that she met. Sarah always welcomed everyone with a huge smile, a hug, a big aunty laugh, and a helping hand.

She loved to play volleyball, hockey, badminton, and baseball and was the biggest cheerleader for her siblings when she watched them play sports. As a young girl, she loved to participate in both contemporary and traditional dancing, singing, acting, and theater. She had a beautiful voice that made her daddy tear up and proud all at the same time. As a young woman, she had a passion to do hair and makeup.

She was awarded the 2008/2009 Tsuut’ina Chiila Elementary Tiny Tot Princess, the 2011/2012 Chiila Elementary Jr. Princess and the 2012/2013 Chiila Elementary Sr. Princess, which she wore proudly in Pow Wows across North America. Her educational journey started and ended in the Tsuut’ina Nation Schools. In 2021, she graduated high school from Manyhorses High School and continued to attend the Bullhead Adult Learning Centre. While attending school she completed the Rights of Passage Program, she was so proud of what she learned.

Sarah is survived by her parents, Graham (Raven) Rowan and  Natashia (Christine) Pelletier; godparents, Farley Cardinal and Jeanine Starlight; siblings, Donnelly, Veida, Graham Jr., Cyrus, Farley, Royal, Vianna, Hailow, Rayzel, Ramone, and Rayzor; grandparents, Donald and April Rowan, Sean Fraser, Sharlene Pelletier, and Roxanne Crowchild; great-grandmother Pauline Boudreau; and many aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, bros, friends, and grandparents. She was predeceased by her great-grandparents, Chief Jim and Mary Jane Starlight, Sarah Meguinis, Edward Rowan, Christine Heavenfire, Grama Grama, and Grandpa Fred; papa Vin; uncles, Murphy Rowan, Cyrus Bearhead, and Frank Big Plume; aunties, Lisa Starlight and Yvette Starlight; and her beloved furbaby Apple Pie.

Wake Services will be held at Bullhead Hall (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) on Monday, May 29, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Bullhead Hall (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at the Tsuut’ina Cemetery (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB). Everyone is welcome to join the family for a traditional feast at Bullhead Hall immediately following the Graveside Service. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Sarah Rowan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.