The Chancellor’s Office received word that Ms. Rowena G. Wilkinson, 70, passed away on June 5, 2024, after an extended illness.  Ms. Wilkinson worked as a music director at several Catholic parishes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and completed the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute (LPMI) Program, earning her Foundational Pastoral Ministry Leadership certificate.

Early in her career, she worked for the LaMonte-Shimberg Corporation, which developed many residential neighborhoods. Occasionally, while there, she enjoyed rare assignments like picking street names for new subdivisions. In 1989, she accepted a position as CFO at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. After 20+ years there, Rowena began working as a nonprofit grant accountant and even spent a year as a music educator for Bishop Larkin and St. Anthony’s schools in Pasco County. At the time of her death, she was employed as a grant accountant by Metropolitan Inclusive Health in St. Petersburg.

Rowena was predeceased by her parents, Adolph and Phyllis G’Andrea, aunts, Rose Valetutto, Mary Ricca, Annie Gizzi, and cousins, Louis Ricca, MD, and Rosemary Salemi. She is survived by cousins Carol Gizzi, Mary Ann Ricca, Louis Ricca, III, Stephanie Ricca Burgess and Brian Ricca; plus, countless dear friends, and her beloved cat, Gatorade, who is now living with family. She is greatly missed and will never be forgotten.

A memorial Mass was celebrated on August 3^rd at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Tampa.

Complete obituary at this link.

Please keep Rowena and her family in your thoughts and prayers!

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May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
by the mercy of God, rest in peace!