October 31, 1924 – January 6, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rovena Watt Abrams, 100, of the Seneca Nation Allegany Territory. Rovena passed on January 6, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones, after a long and fulfilling life.
Born October 31, 1924 in Salamanca, NY, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Nettie Huff Watt and grew up in Coldspring on the Allegany Territory.
She was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Turtle Clan.
Rovena was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1942.
Rovena was dedicated to serving the Seneca Nation community throughout her life and career. In 1961, Rovena was hired as one of the first employees of the Seneca Nation as the SNI Deputy Clerk. In 1994, she began her decades-long tenure as editor of the Seneca Nation Official Newsletter, where she worked to share the Seneca Nation members’ stories and achievements. Rovena retired in 2020, after six decades of service to the Seneca Nation.
Rovena was appointed then elected as a Tribal Councilor, serving for six years from 2002-2008. She was then elected as a Peacemaker’s Court Judge from 2008-2010.Rovena was instrumental in Seneca women’s suffrage, advocating for women to gain the right to vote and hold elected office in SNI government.
Her service extended to numerous Boards and Committees, including, but not limited to, the Kinzua Planning Committee, Seneca Nation Salamanca Lease Negotiation Committee, the Seneca Nation-Salamanca Joint Leasing Commission, and the Seneca Nation of Indians Economic Development Committee. She was also a founding member of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum Board of Trustees, helping to preserve and celebrate Seneca arts, culture, and history.
Not only was Rovena a pillar in the Seneca community, Rovena was also a staunch advocate of Indian Country as a whole. In 1984, Rovena was appointed the Northeast Area Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for two terms. Rovena also served as an alternate delegate to the National Congress of Americans Indians and the United South and Eastern Tribes representing the Seneca Nation.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Rovena was also a master corn husk doll maker. After learning the skill from her mother Nettie, her artistry was featured in the “Iroquois and Native American Art of Today”, a traveling exhibit in 1973, and is proudly displayed at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
A fluent first-language Seneca speaker, Rovena also contributed to revitalizing and growing the Seneca language. Before her retirement, Rovena worked with the Allegany Seneca Language Department.
Surviving are: three sons, Bruce (Renee) Abrams, Brian (Linda) Abrams, Stephen (Julie) Abrams; five grandchildren, Zak Abrams, Katy Abrams, Caleb (Jodi Lynn Maracle) Abrams, Reesa Abrams, Nathan Abrams; three great-grandchildren, Yehwatsironnyons Maracle Hill, Rorhen’s Abrams, Iotsi’tsakéhte Abrams; a sister, Carolyn (Randy) Brant; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Rovena was predeceased by six siblings, Ruth Watt Piscitelli, Maribel Watt Printup, Merle Watt Sr., Milburn “Bud” Watt, Harold Watt, and Elwin “Sparky” Watt.
Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9pm.
Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 11am.
Burial will be in Hillside Haven Cemetery, Steamburg, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Faithkeeper’s School, 1431 West Perimeter Rd, PO Box 136, Steamburg, NY 14783.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
