Mona Lou (Rowsam) Paragon

1937 – 2025

Mona Lou (Rowsam) Paragon was born May 7th, 1937, in Lowville, New York, the daughter of Kenneth and Lou Emma Rowsam Sr. She graduated from Carthage Central High School in 1955 and after graduation moved to Springfield Mass. to work with crippled children at the Shriners Hospital. Upon returning to Carthage, she worked for the Carthage National Exchange Bank where she met her husband of 65 years, Vincent J. Paragon Sr.

Vinnie and Mona were married on August 27th, 1960, in St. James Minor Church in Carthage. They lived in Carthage for 39 years, where they raised their four children. While in Carthage, Mona was an active volunteer at Augustinian Academy as a member of the St. Joseph's Worker's since 1965 and taught Religious Education (CCD) for many years. Mona was also a Eucharistic Minister at St. James Church and enjoyed decorating the church for various holidays, especially Christmas. She loved helping to manage and cook for the Italian Booth for the St. James Fair. She was also an active member (when she became of age) of the Red Hat Society.

In 1999 Vinnie and Mona moved to Cape Vincent and became parishioners of St. Vincent De Paul's Catholic Church and they both continued their volunteer work there. Mona also joined the Red Hat Society there, not only as a member, but also became the Queen Mum.

They moved to Watertown in 2009 and became active parishioners of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, where Mona joined the Women's Altar and Rosary Society. Vinnie became a member of the Italian American Club, (among other groups) which meant so did Mona. She began cooking and baking Italian treats for the Mount Carmel Feast and the Bravo Italiano Festival. A job she did so well, with great joy.

If Mona wasn't at home she could be found volunteering at the Sisters of St. Joseph's Mother House in Watertown, NY. She would answer phones and greet visitors at the front desk, as well as visit with the infirmed, helping with monthly BINGO, decorating for holidays, and partaking in spiritual retreats, feast days and jubilee celebrations. She also enjoyed working with the Religious Education for People with Disabilities Program.

Mona is preceded in death by her son Christopher H. Paragon, her parents, Ken and Lou Emma Rowsam Sr., her Brother Ken Rowsam Jr., and a sister Brenda (Rowsam) Caschetta. She is survived by her husband Vinnie, their children Vincent J. (Carrie) Paragon Jr., Mary Beth (Robert) Renaud, and Ann Marie (Scott) Jordan. Ten grandchildren, Sarah (Alex) Vehr, Amanda (Ethan) Sennish and Abigail (Carter) Baretz, Joshua (Brittany) Renaud, Jesse (Sara) Edgar and Amelia (Ray) Dotson, Marley Bella (Michael) Stay-Brimm, Alexander (Elize) Jordan, Colton (Madelyn) Jordan and Luke Jordan. Thirteen great-grandchildren, Max, Charlie, Harper, Avery, Shyan, Briggs, Addie, Brayden, Mia, Quinn, Scarlett, Vonn, and Conrad; she is also survived by one brother, Brett (Patty) Rowsam.

A Rosary will be prayed on Friday, August 15th at 7:30 pm at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage, the Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Watertown, NY on Saturday August 16th at 2:00pm. The family will greet callers from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm before the mass. Burial will be in the St. James Cemetery, (outer) South James St. Carthage, NY.

Arrangements are in the care of the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, located at 518 State Street in Carthage, NY 13619. To leave a condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.

In leu of flowers

Donations may be made to:

Alzheimer's Disease Research

22512 Gateway Center Drive

Box 1950

Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950

https://donate.brightfocus.org/adr