Jean D. Lowry, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away peacefully just three weeks before her 96th birthday on November 4, 2022, of old age, surrounded by her loving family at the Hospice House of the Piedmont.

Jean Ann Dunnell was born in Minot, North Dakota, on November 24, 1926, to William Harold and Margaret Ann (Dow) Dunnell. After graduating from Minot High School, Jean went to Iowa State University in Ames and studied home economics. She joined the Kappa Delta sorority. It was at Iowa State that she met Ralph Lowry, a brilliant nuclear physics graduate student and the love of her life. Jean and Ralph were married on December 27, 1947 and moved to ISU married student housing where their first three children were born.

In 1955, Ralph received his Ph.D and began his career at the University of Virginia as a Senior Research Scientist. Jean supported him as an active member of the University of Virginia Faculty Wives Club. Jean's mother introduced her and her two sisters to the PEO in Minot and Jean was an active member of an A chapter in Charlottesville. She was an early member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

Ralph and Jean built their own home on a 13-acre strip of wooded property stretching from Scottsville Road up to the ridge of a mountain three miles south of Carters Mountain. They carved a long drive up the mountain and placed the house facing the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Jean adjusted to rural life and tolerated the black snakes that lived under the patio and controlled the mice. Once, she impressed her children with her bravery when she defended them by ferociously chopping up a copperhead with a shovel.

Jean loved her mountain home and watching the blue birds even when one got confused and spent days attacking its own reflection in the window. Ralph managed the forest with a chainsaw and little tractor and cart for carrying firewood. Later the cart was often loaded with grandchildren. The Lowry family pastime was hiking. It was a Christmas tradition to hike to the top of their mountain. On one of those hikes a daughter-in-law got separated from the group and hopelessly lost. As the light faded and the family searched, it was Jean who found her, near tears, and worried that the woods continued all the way to Pennsylvania. She assured her that it was easy to get turned around in the woods. Later, Jean consoled a future daughter-in-law who sprained an ankle on her maiden hike and was frightened that she had failed "the test."

When Ralph's health began to decline, they made the decision to leave their beloved mountain and move to an independent living apartment in a senior living facility. After Ralph passed away, Jean continued to live in the facility until 2019 when COVID hit. At that time, she went to live with her daughters. Jean moved to Hospice House on October 27 until her passing on November 4.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother, William Dunnell and her sister, Judith (William) Delaughter. She is survived by her sister, Janet (Willard) Combs; her four children, Steve (Carolyn) Lowry, Peggy Lowry, Cindy Nelson and John (Aimee) Lowry; eight grandchildren, Joseph (Eri) Kofikawa, Maureen (Joseph) Joyce, Lori (Christopher) Chamberlin, Jennifer (Patrick) Hurley, Adrienne, Aly (Sam) Garris, Mandi, and Anthony; and eight great-grandchildren, Rowan and Cora Joyce; Emiko, Anneka and Sana Kofikawa; Dylan and Larkin Chamberlin; and Charles Hurley.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church and will follow with a private interment in the University of Virginia Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Jean's name to the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad, 828 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902-0160.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hillandwood.com.