I was devastated to hear the news last week that the lovely, funny Rowena Haley has died aged just 34. I have no information on the circumstances and it appears to have been unexpected. I know that you will share with me in sending our love and condolences to her family and friends from all of us across the Funny Women community.
I first met Rowena in 2008 when she entered and reached the final of the Funny Women Awards. She was northern, blunt, sang silly songs and was very much a breath of fresh comedic air. At 22 she was one of the youngest of our finalists that year.
And what fine and talented company she was in – a measure of Rowena’s own skill. Looking at this line up I don’t need to explain except to say that, even though you may not recognise all of the names, all of these amazing women are still working in or around comedy in some way, as was Rowena. It was a classic year.
Rowena went on to have a successful career as a performer on the circuit and produce several of her own shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. She also worked in television production including The Paul O’Grady Show and Meet the Richardsons.
If you have any memories or pictures of Rowena to share, please do so on the memorial page here or email us at info@funnywomen.com and we will pass them on to her family.
In loving memory of Rowena Jane Haley – May 1st, 1986 – October 7th, 2020.
