Kathleen Rowan Archer, 76, passed away on February 23, 2023, in Ponte Vedra, Florida, after suffering with Alzheimer’s.
Kathy was born to Clifford and Florence Rowan, on August 22, 1946 in Bronx, New York. She was the oldest of four children.
Kathy and her husband, Robert (Bob) Archer, met as teenagers at Holy Family Catholic School in North Miami. She and Bob married on April 1, 1967. They had a son, Jim. Kathy was very proud of Jim and was always very involved in his activities growing up. She even coached his baseball team at the Miami Lakes Optimist Club.
Kathy graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor of Arts degree while working at Eastern Airlines. After Eastern Airlines went out of business putting an end to her 25 year career as the Personnel Manager, she started a new career with the District Court, Southern District of Florida, in Miami, as Human Resources Manager. Kathy retired from the District Court on September 2008 after 20 years of dedicated service.
After retirement, Kathy and Bob moved north to the Jacksonville area to be near their son, Jim; and his wife, Erin. After a few years, she was blessed with two beautiful granddaughters, Ella and Grace. Kathy was so very proud to be their Nana. She loved spending time with them and loving on them. Jim, following his father’s footsteps, became a pilot and is a Captain for Southwest Airlines. Kathy had the opportunity to fly on Jim’s first flight as a Co-Pilot. Later, unbeknownst to her, Jim made arrangements to surprise Kathy as the Captain on one of her trips. When Jim approached her, she asked him what he was doing there. He told her he would be the Captain flying her home to Jacksonville. She very quickly said to the other passengers that the Captain was her son and they were in good hands. This is only a couple of the very special and proud moments she shared with Jim.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Michael Rowan.
Kathy was loving and caring to all who knew her and a devoted wife, mother, and nana. She is survived by her husband, Bob; son, Jim; daughter-in-law, Erin; two granddaughters, Ella and Grace; sister-in-law, Dianne Scrima; brothers, Clifford Rowan (Rose) and Donald Rowan (Vicky); along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside service will be held at a later date at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York.
Contributions in memory of Kathy may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
