EILEEN LOWE

LOWE--Eileen Josten,

of Brooklyn, NY, formerly of Woods Hole, MA, died peacefully at home on December 4, 2016, at the age of 91. She had faced 15 years of increasing dementia with humor, steeliness, and dignity. Eileen was a gifted violist, an exceptional cook, and a discerning art collector. Born in New York City to composer Werner Josten and singer Margaret (Fatman) Josten, she grew up in Northampton, MA, with older brother Peter, where her father taught music for 30 years at Smith College, and her mother raised Sealyham Terriers. She attended Ethel Walker and graduated from Bennington. Before marrying Dr. Charles U. Lowe in 1955, she enjoyed numerous adventures: accompanying the Baroness Hilla von Rebay to California on behalf of Peggy Guggenheim; travelling through Europe; getting her pilot's license. Upon marriage, she and Charles moved to Buffalo, NY, and then to Cambridge, England; Gainesville, FL; the D.C. area, and to Cambridge, MA. After she moved to Brooklyn at age 70, she embarked on more travel: she took the Orient Express from Russia to China; visited both poles; went bird watching in Costa Rica; and went on safari twice. She will be missed by her brother, her four children, three grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren: Sarah (Elisabeth Smith), their son Simon; Elizabeth; Stephen (Jane Ceraso) their children Sage and Rory; and Cambria (Devin Hess) and stepchildren Nicole and Alexander. Her former husband predeceased her. Eileen was an inveterate crossword enthusiast and enjoyed doing The New York Times puzzle until last year. She was also a passionate animal lover. Contributions may be made in her name to any animal shelter or to Bennington College.