Date of Death: March 11, 2023
Service Details
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2023 at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, 320 Main St., Three Rivers, with Father James Smith officiating. Immediately following will be a luncheon and Celebration of Life at the church.
Obituary Notice
Yvonne Imogene Lowry of Marcellus, Mich., passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Edgewood Health & Rehab in Three Rivers. An accomplished pianist, musician and director, Yvonne fully enjoyed the love of family and friends each one of her 88 years – equal to the number of keys on her upright Kimball piano.
Yvonne was born August 25, 1934, on Chicago’s South Side, the daughter of Raymond Nicholas and Juanita Theresa Bohne. Her talent tickling the ivories was discovered at the ripe old age of 2. Early classical training led to Yvonne playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when she was 5 years old.
Following a courtship filled with dancing and shows, she married Thomas John Lowry on October 16, 1954, and embarked on their adventuresome collaborative journey. Their dance moves were smooth, their vocal harmonies captivating, and their theatrical productions flawless.
Nowhere was Yvonne more at home than in front of a keyboard, where she had a commanding presence. She could spellbind any size audience with her mastery and showmanship.
Hers was a life of performance. She played and directed in professional and community theaters throughout the Chicagoland area for decades. Following the family’s move to Michigan in the early 1970s, she did the same in Kalamazoo, Three Rivers, Watervliet, Allegan, Swift Lake and elsewhere. She frequently led touring productions of Broadway shows across the country, including extended runs in South Carolina, West Virginia and Arizona. She played and musically directed the Kennedy Center award-winning Quilters musical staged by the Western Michigan University Theatre Department.
She and Tom were the principals – and parents – of The Lowry Family Singers, who one year spent the entire summer performing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She had regular gigs at restaurants and clubs as the musical entertainment as a solo pianist.
Yvonne also combined her deep faith with her God-given talent, playing for an ecumenical mix of Catholic, Methodist and Episcopalian churches in Marcellus, Three Rivers and Decatur. She had the profound and spiritually moving honor of twice leading the Holy Family Church Choir from Decatur to sing in numerous Catholic churches in Italy. Both trips culminated with Vatican performances in Rome in front of Pope John Paul 2. A “shrine” of framed photos and related memorabilia adorned the wall directly across from her favorite bench.
Music, dancing and laughter frequently filled her home. Yvonne was an avid reader and enjoyed entertaining, doing puzzles and cooking mystery meals. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Three Rivers Woman’s Club, Three Rivers Garden Club, various book clubs and others.
Yvonne was a most loving mother and was a pillar of strength for all. She is survived by her six children: Thomas and the late Susan, Raymond and the late Lynda Lou, Eva and Michael Yore, Patrick and Jennifer, Matthew, and Mark and Ellen; grandchildren Gabrielle and Caitlin, Sophia and Nicholas, Jacob and Erin (and their mother Marcia Hutchinson), Jessica and Allie; as well as great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Tom; two daughters-in-law, Susan Lowry and Lynda Lou Lowry; a brother, Jerry; and her parents.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Three Rivers Promise, PO Box 405, Three Rivers, MI 49093.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Yvonne a very good friend who will be missed by those who know her. Her talent spread across the country as did her laughter. Yes, one who knew it was Yvonne will always remember her infectious laugh. Her dedication toward her family and friends, and her incredible talent, a God-given one that those who knew her considered themselves fortunate. I will miss you and I love you.
Sending sincere sympathy to Tom and the whole family. She was a lovely lady. 🙏🙏
Another Wonderful Pianist has joined the Great Orchestra in the Heavens. Play on.
Yvonne was my piano teacher, whom I visited weekly in Marcellus at her home for my weekly lessons. As a young elementary student I remember her teased hair, bright lip stick, exquisite voice and amazing talent! What a beautiful and patient teacher!
My condolences to Tom, Ray and the Lowry family on the loss of your Mom. She was a lovely lady, so happy to share her memories. So thoughtful, kind and proud of her loving family.
Dear Family,
Your mother was top of the drawer with smiles, kindness, and huge generosity of spirit. She lit up a room with her exuberant energy yet she always had time to be a good and caring friend to whoever crossed into her life. Quite simply my life has been richer because of hers.
This is the one time I am sorry that I am so far away but my love for all of you can easily hop over the pond to stand beside you.
Tom,
I am sorry your mom is gone.
I loved working with her when she filled in as organist at the Christian Science Church when I was soloist. She was so fun and supportive and just an all around great person. Unforgettable.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your great loss.
What an honor and joy it was to know and work with Yvonne. I did cabaret shows with her at Reflections on the River in Allegan, and rehearsed for our year long, hit every holiday, shows at her beautiful home. Her laugh was not only infectious, but her skills at the piano and in coaching were the best. She touched so very many lives, and I am grateful she touched mine. Go in peace beautiful woman, and hug Tom for me.
This feisty, opinionated, generous, outspoken, fun-loving, intelligent, marvelously talented, little lady had the BIGGEST impact on those who were allowed to share her life. The world has fallen a bit dimmer having lost the sparkle of her spirit, but the heavens surely shine much brighter. God speed sweet Yvonne, Wednesdays will seem much emptier.
88 years. 88 black and whites. How appropriate. How fitting. This was a woman who let nothing but positive joy radiate from her. Her generous spirit and her generosity of time and talent were legendary. What a remarkable legacy she leaves. There will be lots of singing in heaven tonight!
Dear Eva and all cousins,
Your hearts are heavy now. Peace to you.
We are sadden to hear of Yvonne’s passing. She surely did live life to the fullest and touched so many people with her God given gifts!
Your Mom would light up a room with that wonderful smile and fun disposition! She loved a good conversation.
I’ll treasure my memories of her at the family Christmas parties and picnics. She had a talent of gathering everyone around the piano in Palos Park and leading us in the old songs! Yvonne and Tom were the oldest cousins in our family. I can remember them sitting around the dining room in Palos Park with her parents & all her aunts & uncles discussing the church rulings. There were some lively discussions with some changes that young Yvonne & Tom were trying to convince the older aunts & uncles that change was good!
Peace to your family.
Maureen Lyons Andrews
To the Lowry family….. I am both saddened by the death of Yvonne, and I also find great joy in the wonderful life that she lived. What a journey of joy she shared with all of those who knew and loved her. I am so lucky that I have a wonderful memory of so many joyous activities that I shared with her, and with Tom and her parents and Tom, Ray, Eva, Patrick, Matt and Mark. I often think of her and I shall miss her. The time that was able to spend with the family in Jackson Hole with all of you and with Don and Naomi is still one of those moments that I often relive in my mind. The list goes on and on and I feel wonderfully blessed to have had the chance to be a part of it all and to be held in the embrace of those early years in Marcellus. I will raise a glass to her memory on Saturday when you celebrate her life….even though I can’t be with you. And somewhere, in the midst of all of your celebration of her life, listen very carefully and you will surely hear her wonderful and infectious laugh! Love to you all. Steve Mater
What a beautiful picture of her. I will miss her spice and spirit every time I saw her at The Rock. She was an amazing woman and big memories from any kid that grew up in Marcellus in the 80’s.
Your mother was one of my very dear friends! She was so talented and so loving and fun for everyone. I loved her laugh and her sincere friendship. I will totally miss the good times we had for so many years. She left a wonderful family of great children and I love you all. So sorry she is gone, but now God has her back in his arms.
Dear Tom, Ray and Family,
Yvonne always had a warm smile and kind words to speak. I treasure knowing her and hearing her play the piano. Warm memories of her working in the bookstore. She was a precious lady, loved by many. Sincerely, Annette and Kurt Curtis
Peg Dudek (Kwasniewski) here. I had the privilege of knowing both parents and kids from Marcellus where we grew up with this family! Mrs. Lowry was always so pleasant with a great smile and that laughter that could be heard for miles. All u kids were so blessed to have her for a mom and grandma as suspect never a dull moment with her wit and humor. RIP Mrs. Lowry as many of us have such fond memories of how you helped shape us at church and through our community into who we are today.
My deepest sympathy
Peg
What a sweet lady she was very kind and loved her family My deepest condolences to the family
So many wonderful memories I hold in my heart of such a wonderful lady & friend.so many good times. Sending hugs to the family.Connie Ransbottom
I spent a magical summer stock season with her and Tom. It doesn’t get much better than being surrounded by folks like them. Pushing us to be our best. Helping us to be better performers. I have a very vivid pic in my heart of the special smile she had for Tom and Tom had for her. I’m saddened for her loss but happy they are reunited.
Yvonne was surely one of the grandest people I’ve known in my life. We worked together for several years when we were both in theatre, kept in touch for considerably longer than that, and I can’t think of her without thinking what a vibrant, warm, caring, and talented life force she was. I feel so lucky that our life journeys over lapped each others. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. She will be missed.
Sending love to this beautiful family. The angels will sound especially beautiful with their new accompanist ❤️
My heart goes out to all who knew and loved Yvonne. She was one of the most supportive people I have had the privilege to know. She always gave her all and expected no less from others. The world is a smaller place with her gone.
I was honored to know Yvonne from her time serving as pianist at Trinity Episcopal Church. She was always kind and welcoming and boy could she play!
She will be deeply missed. The Three Rivers community has lost a real legend.
Ahh . . . the memories.
Lowry family, Sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was such a great person. Sending prayers for all of you.
Dear Tom and family members: John and I send our sincere condolences to all of you during this very difficult and sad time. Your mom was a wonderful woman and I am glad that I got to know her when I was in Three Rivers. We all will miss her greatly. May God surround you with His comfort, peace and love.
Judy Gilchrist-Mohney and John Mohney
Stayton, OR
Yvonne was a shining light and I am sure memories of her will continue to brighten the many lives she touched. With warm wishes for her family at this time of loss and with gratitude for having known her.