The family of Johann Ruth Rowan Growsky mourns the loss of a most wonderful, caring, soft spoken, life guiding and life affirming person that anyone could ask for. Her earthly body left us to join God when she passed away on Aug. 5, 2023, in Alpharetta, Ga. She was surrounded by loved ones, showing what an impact she had on our lives, with all of her kids caring for her, loving her, talking to her until her final breath. She was, and is, a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend and confidant. She was seen as a special person who had a soft touch and was able to help you or get a point across to you in the gentlest way.
She was born Oct. 14, 1934 in Mabie, daughter of a proud coal miner and his lifelong wife who was the matriarch of our family. Johann’s parents were Dio and Ruth Rowan (both deceased) originally from Mabie and Cloverlick. They had eight wonderful and very tight knit children. Johann was the first born, followed by Ted Rowan (deceased, wife Dorothy deceased), Betty Rowan Kilionski (husband Frank deceased), Davey Rowan (Diane), Mary Rowan Miciano (Ben), Jimmy Rowan, Rose Rowan Lemley (husband Bill deceased), Linda Rowan Martin. At school she was known as Joan, and not Jo-ann for many years, later in life she was simply known as Jo, Mom or Grandma Jo were her favorite names.
She graduated from Buckhannon-Upsher High School in Randolph County, in 1952. The family moved to Morgantown, and Johann went to West Virginia University and graduated with a BS degree in food and nutrition in 1956. Using an old-fashioned work ethic, she worked in the summers to pay for her next year of college. She used hard work to better herself and passed that work ethic along to her children.
Johann moved to Maryland, married, and had four children, Barbara Brown (Eric) from Yantis, Texas; Walter (John) Mitchell Jr. (Theresa) from Damascus, Md; Richard Mitchell from Johns Creek, Ga.; Susan Mitchell from Acworth, Ga. She worked as the head dietitian at several hospitals in the Maryland/D.C. area including Shadyside Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Suburban and Montgomery Hospital. While working full time and raising four children, she also managed to go to school at night and she received her master’s degree in education from the University of Maryland in 1971. At the time, her kids were 14, 16, 18 and 19. Talk about your hard work. The question she hated the most when she got home was “What’s for dinner?” Later in life, she turned that around and it became more like “where are you taking her to dinner?”
The master’s degree in education allowed her to go on her next adventure. After divorcing, she wanted to get back to her roots in West Virginia and her passion to teach. She met Herbert Growsky in 1977 and he turned out to be the love of her life, they spent
45 years together. Herb preceded her in death last year. They cared for each other deeply and shared a strong bond.
She taught at West Virginia University, moved to Gainesville, Fla., to teach at the University of Florida, then moved back to Bridgeport, and worked for the Veterans Administration in Clarksburg. She taught and counseled our U.S. veterans in nutrition and good eating habits. Johann and Herb retired to Florida, primarily living in the Leesburg area where they remained until very recently when she moved to Alpharetta, Ga., to be near family. In addition to four children, she has 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She and Herb loved the kids and loved the grandchildren even more. They were truly interested in the children’s lives and would listen to them and help them in any way that they could. They were special to them: Joshua, Justin, Andrew, Emily, Dylan, Caroline, Cassandra, Sabrina, Rodney, Cameron; great grandchildren Hallie, Sydney, Katherine, Tristan, Skylar, Hudson, Asher, Violet and Leon.
She will be greatly missed; we were greatly blessed to have her and now we both grieve and rejoice about her life and now heavenly eternal life. We carry on and know that she is right on our shoulders watching over us.
The local food bank was her charity of choice, and she suggested any donations go to your local food bank.
