Mary Lee Rowe of Gloucester Point, born on June 26, 1944 in Newport News, to the late Grace Lee and Captain William Hansford Rowe, died Sept. 2, 2011 in Riverside Regional Medical Center. She was 67.

Raised in Gloucester, Mary Lee graduated from Gloucester High School, class of 1962. After attending Longwood College and Mary Washington College, she received her graduate degree at Boston University in Psychology and spent many years working with the mentally disabled. Her career as a Child Psychologist was most rewarding.

She embraced life with a sense of adventure, drawing in those around her. Always sensitive to the limitations of her patients, she encouraged each one to strive a little farther than what they believed was possible. A woman of strong principles, she advocated for her beliefs but always with abiding respect for others. She viewed every personal interaction as an opportunity to share as well as to learn.

A passionate lover of animals and the outdoors, Ms. Rowe was most content when horseback riding or spending time on or in the water. She enjoyed swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving so much, that many would say "she could have easily been born with a set of gills." As a child, her father—a lifelong Chesapeake Bay waterman—taught her to navigate the waters of the bay and York River as his "First Mate." When not immersed in the aquatic world, she would likely be riding her pony, Blaze, often exclaiming "Nothing gives me more peace than riding on horseback."

An avid photographer, she especially loved capturing underwater images and other elements of nature. At family gatherings her camera captured the surrounding joy and vitality.

She cherished her family’s home, Ash Villa, a piece of historic Gloucester with a bountiful orchard and gardens. As a member of the Augustine Warner Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mary Lee spent countless hours researching genealogy and relaying family stories in order to preserve the past, but also to enrich the larger community and younger generations.

Her smile, laughter, quick wit, and gentle embrace will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

She leaves behind her devoted and loving husband, Eric Rosenfeld; sister and brother-in-law. Melissa and V. C. Sutton; niece, Melissa Lee Weber; nephews, Bill, John and Scott Sutton; brother-in-law, Victor Rosenfeld and wife Johanah, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services conducted by the Rev. Art Wolz were held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, at Bethany United Methodist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to Doris Day Animal League, 2100 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037.

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.