Jane Cecelia Devine Lowrance
To the delight of Daniel Aloysius Devine and Jane Cockrell Devine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, their only daughter Jane Cecelia entered this world on October 5, 1924. The third of six children growing up during the Great Depression, Jane remembers living frugally. Her Mother insisted the family dress in clean starched clothing every evening for the 6 pm dinner. Everyone had an assigned job around the house and never missed weekly Mass.
Leaving this earth was not an easy task, starting with a broken hip in January that was followed by increasing health complications. Surrounded by family and friends as her health declined, Jane elected to enter hospice at her home until joining her Lord on September 8, 2020 at the age of 95 years.
Jane’s family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the hospice team from Vistas Healthcare for their invaluable care and support.
Growing up in an Irish Catholic home, Jane attended the West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School. She met Lieutenant John G. Lowrance of Carrollton, Missouri while he was in training at Fort Monmouth New Jersey. They quickly fell in love, but their plans for a Philadelphia wedding were cut short when John was transferred to the west coast. Determined to stay together Jane boarded a train to California where they were married on June 9, 1944. Their time together was interrupted when John was ordered to the South Pacific. Departing the West Coast Jane traveled to Missouri to meet John’s family, before returning to Philadelphia to await the birth of their son in September 1945.
At the war’s end in 1945, Jane and John were united in Philadelphia before the new family moved to Illinois and welcomed their daughter in November of 1946. John returned to his pre-war pipelining job and the new family began a decade of moves as they followed the pipeline construction from Illinois to Indiana, Missouri and Topeka, Kansas. Finally, in 1955 Tulsa, OK. became their home. Jane returned to the workforce at the Springer Clinic while her children were in high school. In early 1969, John was transferred to Amoco Oil Company’s Chicago offices where they remained until his 1979 retirement and their subsequent move to San Antonio.
In addition to her family, Jane’s fondness for people and her love for the game of “bridge” quickly found her joining local bridge groups at St. John Neuman, the Newcomers Club and the Hospitality Club where she held offices and enjoyed many lasting friendships.
Jane’s love of crystal and candy never subsided. She became known as the “Candy Lady”, always having her many crystal candy dishes ready to greet friends and family, as well as carrying a bag in her purse for emergencies. Jane loved being called the “Candy Lady” and even in her final days she insisted the candy dishes be kept full!
Following John’s death on December 22, 2002 Jane continued to stay active with her friends, organizations and bridge clubs until losing her eyesight.
Jane’s love of God and devotion to family were reflected in her 58 years of marriage and children John and Kathy.
Mom and Dad are together again in their columbarium at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Jane is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers; Daniel, Frances, John, Henry, and James, and great granddaughter Janie (d. March 30, 2013).
Survivors include children, John Lowrance (Priscilla): Kathryn Knight (James). Grandchildren: Amy Knight; Christopher Lowrance (Teressa): Stuart Lowrance (Heather); John Knight (Shelly), Sarah Zahradka (Tony); great grandchildren, Johnny, Sean, Wyatt and Brooke and many nieces, nephews and sisters in law.
Although it’s been difficult for her family to say goodbye, we’d like to share the following hand-written statement found in her personal papers “I will die blessing my Savior for the happy life he has given me. May God be praised.”
A lady of deep faith and strength, Jane was loved and cherished by many-she will be missed.
in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the following:
San Antonio Food Bank – https://safoodbank.org/donate
Talking Books Program, Tx State Library & Archives, PO Box 12927, Austin, TX 78701
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