Helen Lowell

Helen (Persons) Lowell, of East Aurora, New York, born on April 12, 1916 passed away at age 102 on July 21, 2018. Helen grew up in East Aurora with her parents the late Marion Jackson Persons and the late James White Persons. She was the granddaughter of Henry H. Persons (deceased), who was the first mayor of East Aurora in 1893. Helen graduated from Wheaton College, MA and was married to the late Chapin McKinney Lowell. She was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth (Libby) Persons Foster. Helen is survived by her sons, Jim Lowell and David Lowell (wife Rhea); niece, Ellen Skinner; and nephews, Bill Lowell and Rob Lowell and eighteen informally-adopted foreign students who attended nearby universities. These students remained loved members of Helen's and Chapin's family and are now located in Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan and England, as well as in the United States. In closest proximity is Issa Roustum, his wife Hala and Helen's grandchildren Mark and Tina Roustum. One student, Yousry Fakhoury, lived in the Lowell household for years and was particularly close to Helen. Friends and family can pay their respects at the memorial service, officiated by Pastor Hubbard, on Friday, August 10 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 9 Paine Street, East Aurora, New York 14052. A reception to celebrate Helen's life and generosity of spirit will be held immediately following the service at the Roycroft Inn (40 South Grove Street, East Aurora, New York 14052). The family requests no flowers; those who wish may donate in Helen's name to the Erie County SPCA.