Silvia G. Lowrey

Silvia R. Lowrey passed away Sunday, January 22nd, 2012, surrounded by her loving family, after a short illness with cancer. She was born December 7th, 1925 in New York City. She attended Stanford University and University of Oklahoma where she earned a degree in geography. On December 24th, 1946, she married O. Preston Lowrey Jr. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Later she received her Master’s in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State College. Silvia worked as a librarian for many years. On her retirement, she substitute taught in the Madison and Guilford schools where she became a well-known and popular teacher. Later, Silvia worked for the Madison Beach and Recreation department at the Town Gym and Surf Club Beach.

Silvia was an active volunteer in her community, serving on many committees and participating in local events. She volunteered with the Madison Historical Society, worked on the Wetlands Commission and served in the Madison Visitor's Center.

Silvia was a member of the AAUW, DAR and the Genealogical Society. She was a founding member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

Silvia lived an active life. She loved flying, horseback riding, reading, gardening, travel, and singing. As a young woman, she trained to fly with the WASPs, only missing the chance to serve when the war ended before she was of age.

However she volunteered as a plane spotter during the war.

Silvia loved life and her family. She is predeceased by her husband O. Preston Lowrey Jr., her son O. Preston Lowrey III, and her granddaughter Nini Lowrey. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands Cynthia and James Marx, Deborah and Robert Harnden, Mary and David Rose, Tricia and Lonnie Lippert, and her daughter-in-law Dr. Ying Lowrey and husband Ernie Nilsson. Also her grandchildren Cecily Marx, Robert and Stephany Harnden, Wendy and Kris Caya, Nathan and Brittani Harnden, Bethany Marx, Alex and Hilary Rose, Caroline and Ryan Doyle, Kendall Lowrey and her great grandson Noah Harnden.

There will be a private family burial followed by a Memorial service on February 22nd, 2012 at the Surf Club, Madison, CT at

3 PM. Please join us to celebrate Silvia's life. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Madison Beach and Recreation Department, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, CT, 06443.

Please direct your donation to the attention of Scott Erskine to use for youth programs.