Bessie Rowan, 78, of Mars died Wednesday evening at UPMC Passavant after a prolonged illness following heart surgery on June 2, 2012.

She was born on Jan. 9, 1935, to the late Walter Mills Sr. and Lillian Anna (Stockline) Mills of Gibsonia.

She was employed by the Pittsburgh Cut Flower Co. and the Mars School District. She enjoyed staying active, being outdoors, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Surviving are daughter Mary Jo Mitrecic and grandson Eric Grazorchalk; son, Richard Rowan and granddaughter Jody Lynn Rowan; sisters, Lillian McWilliams, Mary Hornick, Florence Lawther and Joan Allman; and brother, Edward Mills.

Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Rowan; sisters, Margaret Coon and Jean Adams; and by her brothers, Jack Mills and Walter Mills.

ROWAN — There will be no services for Bessie Rowan, who died Wednesday, July 3, 2013.Arrangements were entrusted to the Young Funeral Home, Butler.For more information, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.