Martha Lucille Rowan (Payne) passed away on Jan. 9, 2017, from small cell lung cancer at Harrison House for Senior Living Nursing Home in Georgetown, with her family by her side. Martha was born on July 10, 1934, in Albemarle County, Va. Her parents were Christopher Ray Payne and Nellie Elizabeth Zane Wood. She was reared by her grandparents, Monte Tellar Wood and Lucy Lelia Wingfield (Ware). Martha married Thomas Aloysius Rowan on March 9, 1954, in Washington, D.C., this was a double wedding with her best friend, Barbara Latta. Martha was interested in her family history and researched her family line with the help of her aunt, Judith Pasha Ann Wood (Dudley)(Walker).She became a member of the Daughters of the Revolutionary War, the Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Wingfield Historical Society. Martha and her husband, Tom, enjoyed going to flea markets and antique auctions. They decided to open two businesses, the Antiques Market Place and Rowan's Stained Glass & Supplies in Severna Park, Md. After Tom's death, Martha decided to move to Harrington, Del., to be closer to her youngest daughter, Vicky. Martha loved gardening, and she definitely had a 'green thumb'. She and her daughter, Debbie, often went to different nurseries hunting for just the right plants, bushes and trees for her gardens. Before Alzheimer's had set in, she had landscaped almost every inch of her half acre, which included three Oriental fish ponds. She could have been a home interior designer, which showed upon entering any of her homes. Martha in preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Aloysius Rowan; and her only son, Thomas Christopher Rowan. She leaves behind three daughters, Barbara Cannon (Rowan), of Baltimore, Md., Deborah Rowan, of Federalsburg, Md., and Victoria Lynn Rowan, of Harrington, Del.; two grandsons, Paul Thomas Nitkowski, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Michael Thomas Rowan, of Millsboro, Del.; one great-grandchild, Daniel Thomas Nitkowski, of Upper Marlboro, Md.; two life-long best friends, Barbara Latta and John Brethauer; first cousin, Hilman (Skip) Dudley and wife, Caryl, of El Paso, Texas; as well as many nieces and nephews. There will be no funeral or services, as this was Martha's wishes. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alzheimer's.org for awareness and research, or Vista Hospice at Vista.com/community-connection/donation-form. We would like to thank Harrison House Kent Unit and Vista Hospice in Georgetown.