In loving memory of

Bernice Evelyn Lowery,

February 27, 1936 - March 18, 2024

With the deepest sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Bernice Evelyn Lowery. Our long goodbye to her began over 15 years ago when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. It has been an arduous journey for her and for those who love her, watching her capacities slowly decline, and also knowing that she was such a witty, intelligent woman with a neverending desire to learn and grow. With this tearful irony, we finally say goodbye and rest peacefully with John Lowery, our beloved father.

Bernice E. Lowery was one of the most intelligent people we have ever known. From when she was a young lady in her late teens, she pushed herself to know and understand more about the world around her. At the time, when women were to “be seen and not heard,” as she used to say, she made her voice heard. Despite the odds against her, she graduated with high honors from DePaul University in Chicago, IL., where she played basketball and volleyball. This was no usual feat. She was unique and so beautiful, both inside and out. Soon after she graduated and joined the teaching profession, she met our father, also an educator, at an elementary school they both were assigned to in Chicago Public Schools. He fell in love with her wit, sarcasm, charm, and of course, her beauty, and she thought he was handsome, crazy, and funny. They would soon start a family of seven Irish Catholic children, raising six, with all of us close in age.

Taking a break from her world travels and professional career, Benice focused all her energy on raising her kids, and she loved her kids deeply with all of her heart, fiercely protecting us against those outside forces that would challenge us as youth. She taught us to read, challenged our minds with ancient and American history, taught us Spanish, and told us the most beautiful stories of her travels to Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, and other destinations. Additionally, she cultivated our love of the arts and humanities by taking us to art exhibits, museums, orchestras, operas, and the theatre, to name just a few of her special outings. It was impossible not to gain a worldly perspective from her, and she did it all on her own in a world, as stated, that would continue to challenge her. She was an amazing person and the most loving mother and grandmother we could ever have. She had the most beautiful smile, too. It “could launch a thousand ships” and made people happy just looking at her. Often a soft hug and kiss on the forehead followed with an “I love you, sweets.”

For the last fifteen years, our dear mother and grandmother battled Alzheimer’s Disease. She fought hard to hold onto her memories, her sense of self. We cannot even imagine how painful this process was for a woman who built herself up through a lifelong educational journey. Yet, we will always remember the beautiful woman who impacted our self-journeys in some way, shape, or form and continues to do so. We are our mother’s children and grandchildren, and who we are today is greatly in part due to who our mother was and what she has done for us all of our lives. We are her legacy.

Bernice E. Lowery is survived by her loving children and grandchildren.

We love you, Mama. We love you, Grandma. May you continue to rest in peace and may God bless and keep you always. 

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