ROWBOTHAM, Julie Edith Doreen

It is with shock and sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Julie Rowbotham on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at her home in Winnipeg. Known affectionately as “J.R.,” Julie was born Bernice Amy Henderson in Orillia, Ontario, on May 3, 1961. Adopted by the Rowbothams just before her second birthday, she was raised in the small community of Dunedin, Ontario, before leaving home at 15. After spending several years hitchhiking across Canada multiple times, J.R. settled in Winnipeg, where she lived for more than 30 years, working as a security guard and volunteering at two nursing homes and the local food bank. In recent years, though, much of her time was spent helping others: visiting people in hospitals and nursing homes, taking out garbage or picking up groceries and mail for those whose disabilities made such difficult, but most of all just talking and listening, making sure that nobody around her got forgotten about. She also enjoyed watching TV, listening to country music, and colouring beautiful pictures on her iPad, despite being only able to see in black and white. J.R. is survived by her sister Susan Bowden and brothers Paul and Dale (Rose Rutherford) Rowbotham; her daughters Melinda (Jason Ross) and Rebecca Anderson; grandchildren Nicole, Sean and Abbigail; and her beloved cat Munchkin. She is predeceased by both her biological and adoptive parents, along with her daughter Melissa Anne Rowbotham. J.R. will be sorely missed by family, friends and acquaintances in Winnipeg, Manitoba; in Ontario; and across Canada and in the United States. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has occurred. A celebration of life will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., October 10, 2019, at Mosaic Funeral Home, 1839 Inkster Blvd., Winnipeg. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Winnipeg Humane Society or the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation would be much appreciated.
For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca