FAYE ROWAT RETIRES 1983 – 2024
The original Post Office was Ovenstown (32-42-20-W3) from 1905 – 1912, named after pioneer homesteader Dr. Robert Ovens. In 1912, the Post Office moved to SW5-43-20-W3. There are 3 stories circulating about how Rockhaven got its name: 2 involve a town in Ontario and the other centers on the Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone. In any case, Faye Rowat’s retirement from Rockhaven’s Post Office may mark the end of an era.
Faye was born and raised in the village of Rockhaven, probably within 500 feet of where she lives today. She, and her husband Don, raised two boys and when the boys were almost ready to leave the nest, Faye became the Postmistress of Rockhaven and area.
They added a porch onto the house and mailboxes were installed. There’s a partition with a wicket across the porch so the customers would have access to their boxes from one side and the workings of the post office in behind. Faye served the community for forty years. She was absolutely committed to her duties; in all the time I’ve known her, I don’t think she missed a day of work. She knows everyone, and their cousins, and all the family interrelationships, and knows pretty much everyone’s birthday by memory. She would phone or text you if you had a parcel which is a service you don’t expect nowadays.
She’ll be replaced by a superbox, no doubt, but it won’t be the same. About fifty people came to the Cut Knife Seniors Center on Saturday to recognize her service and wish her a happy retirement.
submitted by Randy Strelioff
~ Debbie M.
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum 