In Memoriam: Former Longtime Rumsonite, Teacher, Mom, Eileen Moran Rowett Brons, 90

In her lifetime, my mother smiled more than she cried. Sometimes she did both at the same time, using her strength and resilience to convince herself that everything would be okay. She always was. ~ Chris Rowett Peter

Former longtime Rumsonite, Rumson Country Day School and Red Bank schools teacher, and mom, Eileen Mary Moran Rowett Brons, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, at the home of her son in Easton, Maryland. She was 90.

Eileen was born in Newark in 1934 to Frances and Nellie Moran, Irish immigrants who believed in hard work, faith, and family. She had wonderful memories of growing up with her brother Frank and sister Ann Margaret. The three attended Catholic schools and spent time with extended family of aunts, uncles, and beloved cousins.

Eileen graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School, where she was a cheerleader and loved to sing in school musicals. She worked in a department store before meeting Howard Edward “Pete” Rowett Jr. Years later she said that marrying him and having their six children while young were some of the ‘best moves I ever made.’ Pete and Eileen lived in Tuckerton for a brief time before moving to Rumson, where she lived for 42 years. She started her teaching career at Happy Hours Nursery School in Shrewsbury and began attending Brookdale Community College after all of her children had started school. She graduated from Rutgers University before joining the faculty at the Rumson Country Day School, where her husband was a History teacher.

Pete Rowett died in 1977. Eileen later taught students with special needs in Red Bank Borough schools. She was also a realtor with Gloria Nilson Real Estate for several years. After leaving Rumson, Eileen lived in Brick Township before retiring to Sarasota, FL, where she lived for more than 20 years.

At Forest Pines in Sarasota, she met Edgar Brons, a neighbor and a “charmer” who proved to her that “love is lovelier the second time around.” They married in 2007 and were together for many adventures, travels, and visits with family in several states. Edgar died in 2009 and Eileen stayed close to his extended family.

Eileen moved to the Sunnyside Village in Sarasota in 2020. She made many friends and cherished the community there. She was a member of the choir, a bridge club, a gaming group, and a book club. She attended services at the Sunnyside chapel and enjoyed the farmers market and trolley service offered on site.

Throughout her adult life, Eileen was an active member of Al-anon, which she credited with many lasting friendships and support. She encouraged family and friends impacted with alcoholism or addiction issues to seek guidance from the organization.

In addition to her husbands, she was predeceased by three of her daughters: Elizabeth Rowett in 2010, Katherine White in 2017, and Teresa Rowett in 2022.

She is survived by: her son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Marcie Rowett of Easton, MD; two daughters, Victoria Rowett of Burbank, CA and Christine Peter of Catonsville, MD; her sons-in-law, Jim Peter and Perry White; her sister, Ann Pinkman, of Parsippany; nine grandchildren, Andrew Fernandez, Sean Keller, Bryan Keller, Lian White, Kaila White, Nichole Fernandez, Kristien Fernandez, Jonathan Rowett, and Mitchell Peter; and one great-granddaughter, Journey Fernandez.

She will be interred with Edgar at St. Thomas More Church in Sarasota, where they were married.

Details of a service and celebration of her life are pending.

Donations in her name may be made to Clean Ocean Action in New Jersey or Talbot County Hospice in Maryland.

— Obituary/Chris Rowett Peter