Claire Ellen Lowrie

Claire Ellen Lowrie Aug. 2, 1958 - April 12, 2011 Claire was born in Gaziantep, Turkey, the first child of Art and Nancy Lowrie. Claire grew up in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and the US. She graduated from Northfield-Mount Hermon in Northfield, MA in 1976. She played field hockey, lacrosse, and the flute while at NMH. Claire attended the College of William & Mary, making many life-long friends. Her field hockey and lacrosse careers continued at W&M. Claire's individual accomplishments are still on the record books and she was asked to attend US Lacrosse National Team Trials. After graduation in 1981 Claire moved to Stow, MA, to live with her mother. She worked for the Cooperative Bank of Concord for a number of years. Claire and Maria began their partnership in 1983. They traveled, hiked, and camped throughout the US, Europe, and Canada. Claire played for the Boston Lacrosse Club, and was again invited to US Trials. In 1990 they moved to Boise to be closer to the Tetons. Claire was very active in Boise life, and attended many concerts, plays, and sporting events. She volunteered for several organizations. At the time of her death she was a member of two book clubs. She was proud to be an original member of the Comets soccer team and played USTA tennis for several years. Claire also enjoyed bicycling, bird and wildlife watching, artichokes, and avocados. Claire and Maria, along with friends and family, camped, hiked, skied, and snowshoed as often as possible in McCall, the Sawtooths, the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Sun Valley. They traveled all over the West, and visited often with family in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida. They visited Syria and Turkey with the "Boise 7." They took several cruises and enjoyed a Mexico cruise two weeks before Claire passed away. Claire and Maria were married in Provincetown, Massachusetts on May 29, 2007. Claire was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in February of 2009. For the next 2 years she worked her treatments into her life, often bicycling to MSTI. Claire lived with her disease with unassuming courage and dignity. Claire is survived by her partner of 28 years, and wife of 3 years, Maria Minicucci of Boise. She is also survived by her mother, Nancy P. Giddens of Boise, her sister Amy (Paul) Taivalkoski of Sussex, WI, their children Jarrett and Kendall Claire, and her brother Ted, of Tampa, FL. She is also survived by her aunt Dr. Lois Pounds Oliver (NC,) uncle William (Helen) Pounds (MA), and uncle Tom (Jean) Lowrie (CT.) Her cousins are Tom (Leigh) Pounds, Julia Pounds, David Lowrie, and Anne Lowrie. In addition, Claire's family includes Pat Lessard (FL), and Pat's daughters Sharon and Pam (Andy.) Her in-laws include Robert & Anne Minicucci, Robert & Brenda Minicucci (Leona, Peter) Carmela & Lois Couderc (Amelia, Annelise), Joya Minicucci (Jessica, Adeline, Joseph) and Anthony Minicucci. Claire is preceded in death by her father Arthur L. Lowrie, her uncle Dr. Thomas Oliver, her uncle William Lowrie, and grandparents Eleanor and William Lowrie, and Helen and J. Frank Pounds. We would like to thank MSTI for the compassionate and professional care provided to Claire. Dr. Dan Zuckerman and Dr. Tonya Kuhn helped Claire to keep her disease at bay for over a year. The nurses, particularly Pat, always gave Claire their best work. We would also like to thank our many friends, including friends we didn't know we had - our neighbors, Claire's coworkers and clients at BankServ, and Maria's co-workers at Boise Parks & Rec. Our friends' help was, and is, appreciated beyond words. A gathering for family and friends will be held on April 30th. Details will be posted on www.carepages.com, TeamClaire. Information about charitable contributions will also be posted. Claire had a clear heart and a generous spirit. Our sorrow runs deep and wide. Keep her heart and spirit with you always.