Mariam T. Lowry

PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- Mariam T. Lowry, 93, of Pittsfield, died Monday (Jan. 10, 2011) in the Eastside Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield.

She was born to Edmond and Katherine Wood Thomas on March 4, 1917, in Hunnewell, Mo. She married Norman "Ed" Lowry on Jan. 11, 1941, in Hannibal, Mo. He died in 1969.

Mariam, along with her husband, Ed, owned and operated a pony farm, showing the ponies throughout the Midwest. Together, they also owned and operated Lowry Music Co. (for which Mariam kept the books and took the service calls), the Cardinal Inn Restaurant and the Lowry Motel, which Mariam managed until 1972. She oversaw the completion of two subdivisions that were left incomplete after Ed's death. She later donated ground to establish Lowry Park in south Pittsfield in her husband Ed's memory. She also worked for her son William in his law office.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Pittsfield, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Pittsfield Chapter, past president of the PTA and on the committee to establish Cub Scouts in Pittsfield. In addition, she was a member of Hackney and Shetland Societies. She had a great interest in horse shows, loved to travel and bowl, and loved to visit her children.

Survivors include four sons, Dr. Joseph (Judy) Lowry of Davis Junction, William (Donna) Lowry of Pittsfield, Charles (Mary) Lowry of Hartford, S.D., and John Lowry of Sarasota, Fla.; one daughter, Mrs. Jeanne (Steve) Goodman of Pittsfield; two sisters, Mrs. Mildred Lightle of Pittsfield and Mrs. Mary Catherine Yelton of Barry; three brothers-in-law, Walton Lowry of Pittsfield, William Dunham of Pittsfield, and Thomas Wall; one sister-in-law, Hope Hunt of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; 14 grandchildren, Jolene Lowry-Miller, Jill Lowry, Tom Lowry, Amy Hadden, Steven Lowry, Katie Carr, David Lowry, Stephanine Lowry, Kelli Lowry, Scott Goodman, Tim Goodman, Jennifer Black, Molly Goodman and Megan Goodman; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, in 1969; and three sisters, Eleonor Dunham, Martha Gresham and Elizabeth Wall.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Friday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pittsfield, with the Rev. Mark Schulte conducting. Burial will be in the West Cemetery in Pittsfield.

VISITATION: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, with prayers beginning at 4 p.m.

MEMORIALS: Lowry Park Playground Equipment Fund, the Pittsfield West Cemetery or to the donor's choice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield; info@nieburfh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.