Oneonta, New York - ONEONTA - Marjorie Smith Rowley, 98, beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of April 30, 2026.

She was born in Oneonta July 8, 1927, to Hazel and Burton Smith. She grew up with her three sisters Marie, Doris, and Barbara, on their parent's dairy farm in Oneonta. She attended Laurens High School and Albany Business College.

On June 26, 1950, she married Ronald E. Rowley at First United Methodist Church in Oneonta. Ron had returned from WWII and attended Hartwick College then Syracuse Law School and began practicing law in Oneonta. Ron then took a job with the U.S. Judge Advocates office which took him off to Wiesbaden, Germany. Marjorie was pregnant with their first son, Edward, and could not go with him until Edward was 4 months old. She then went off to Germany on a military transport plane with her young son to join Ronald in Germany where they spent the next year.

They returned to Oneonta where he opened a private law practice and Marjorie was a secretary at Oneonta State Teachers College, Cornell Cooperative Extension and then at Hartwick College where she worked for 25 years as an administrative secretary in the Development Office, retiring in 1999. They grew their family with two more sons, William and John.

She touched so many lives with her kind heart and caring manner. I truly don't remember her ever saying a mean or hateful word about anyone. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir with her sister, Doris Truman. She enjoyed family life and the many gatherings with her sisters and Ronald's brothers, Douglas, Donald and Durwood's families.

Marjorie was predeceased by her husband, Ronald; sisters, Marie Tryens, Doris Truman and Barbara Schrafel; brothers-in-law, Douglas Rowley, Donald Rowley, Durwood Rowley, Fred Tryens, John Truman, Alfred Schrafel; and daughter-in-law, Jean Ghezzi Rowley. She is survived by her three sons, Edward, William (Jean), and John (Maureen); grandchildren, Adrienne (Jose) Quintero, Kristina (Jonathan) Fowler, Andrew Rowley (Jasmin), Edward Rowley, Lindsay (Tom) Rice, Laura (Maddie) Davis-Rowley, and Michael Rowley; step granddaughter, Hannah Applebaum; great-grandchildren, Arianna, Mason, Evelyn, Liam, Finnigan, Beckham, Hawk and Jacob; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

The family would like to recognize the wonderful staff at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home where she received such competent and compassionate care. Prior to going to the nursing home she resided at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown where she also received wonderful care and enjoyed many friendships with residents and staff.

Calling hours will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 23 at Grummons-Bookhout-Bennett Funerals & Cremations, 14 Grand St. Oneonta. A Funeral Service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 24 at First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St, Oneonta. Those who are unable to attend the service but would like to view the live stream may do so by visiting https://firstumc-oneonta.org/events/marjorie-rowley-memorial-service/2026-05-24

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Marjorie Rowley to the Campaign for Hartwick College Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 4020, Oneonta, NY 13820, The Community Foundation of Otsego County, P.O. Box 55, Springfield Center, NY 13468, or a local food bank.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by Grummons-Bookhout-Bennett Funerals & Cremations.