Rosella Ollie Heck passed away unexpectedly and peacefully with family and friends by her side on July 23, 2017, at the age of 84.
Rosella was born April 18, 1933 in Mt. Eaton, Ohio, the daughter of Leroy and Mary Speicher. She grew up with three brothers in Beach City, Ohio. In 1951, Rosella married her first husband, Merle D. Cowell. They had four children. They divorced in 1962.
Rosella, a single mother ahead of her time, raised four children on her own. She worked various jobs, from being an elementary school yard supervisor, cook at various establishments, to working over twenty-two years for J.C. Penney where she retired at the age of 65. She lived in Richmond, California for over 55 years, leading a simple and rewarding life.
Family and friends were Rosella’s passion and delight. She was an avid reader and she enjoyed attending church, gardening, exercising, watching her favorite television shows, playing cards, and being an active member of the San Pablo Senior Center.
Rosella was preceded in death by her second husband, William Heck, daughter Kathy Cowell-Vierhoff and son Gregory Cowell.
Rosella is survived by two brothers, Jerry Speicher of Ohio and Jim Speicher of Louisiana; by her children Janet Cowell-Nichols of Albany, California and Gary Lee Cowell of Wilton, California, son-in law Robert E. Nichols, two daughters-in-law Marilyn Cowell and Jo Cowell, grandchildren Kristin Nichols-Warrner, Robert E. Nichols, Nicole Cowell, Natalie Cowell and Cody Cowell and great grandchildren Audrianna Cowell, Anthony Cowell and Betty Rose Warrner.
Rosella Ollie Heck will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Online condolences can be left on Rosella Ollie Heck’s Memorial Tribute at Sunset View Cemetery and Mortuary page at http://www.sunsetviewcemetery.com/obituaries/
Grave site services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 11:00 am at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, California 94803.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to the San Pablo Senior Center, 1943 Church Lane, San Pablo, California 94806.