Colleen Ann Lower

Colleen A. Lower passed away on February 24, 2026, in Palm Coast, Florida surrounded by the love she spent a lifetime giving to others. She leaves behind a legacy defined not by ease, but devotion, endurance, and a heart that never stopped showing up for the family she loved fiercely.

Colleen was born on July 20, 1941, in Litchfield, Michigan, to Vernon LeGrande and Pearlie Maybelle Measel. As the fourth of seven children, she learned early how to carry responsibility with grace. She attended Jonesville High School in Jonesville, Michigan, forming friendships and memories that remained part of her story throughout her life.

Her life was marked by profound love and profound loss. She married John Smith, Jr. August 16, 1957 (d. 11/14/1973) and together they began building a family. Colleen raised her children while still finding her footing in the world- without applause, without ease, without guarantees- and she did it anyway. Her beauty, not only physical, lived in how deeply she felt, how fully she loved, how hard she tried, how much she worried, and how often she chose others over herself.

Colleen later married Lee D. Lower on September 14, 1981, and they shared eight treasured years together before his passing. During this time, she proudly served as the Ombudsman for her husband's ship through the Navy Family Ombudsman Program. In that role, she became a trusted voice and steady presence for Sailor's families, helping bridge communication between command leadership and loved ones at home. It was a role that she carried with compassion, discretion, and pride.

Being a grandmother was Colleen's greatest joy. She poured herself into every generation that followed. Known as Grandma to some, Granny to others, but "Nana" was reserved exclusively for the youngest generation, her love for her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren was unmistakable- a force that shaped each of their lives.

She is survived by her three sons: James Smith of Pittsford, Michigan; Timothy (Debbie) Smith of Osseo, Michigan; and Daniel (Cindy) Smith of Hudson, Indiana; and two daughters: Lori (Donald) Greer of Palm Coast, Florida, and Sarah Nickells of Hudson, Indiana. She is also survived by her beloved big brother Harlow Measel and sisters Bonnie Finkbiner and Charlotte Christy.

She is lovingly remembered by her ten grandchildren: James Rinehart, Heather Losey, Jennifer (Eric) Frick, James (Haley) Smith, Danielle Smith, Amanda Potts, Kristy Smith, Katie Querbach, Brent (Tiffiany) Smith, and Jessica (Kevin) Jones; and by her twenty-two great-grand-children: Amanda, Rylee, Hannah, Elektra, Breanna, Carson, Jaycee, Luke, Ava, Lainey, Paisley, Naveah, Aubrey, Casen, Gracie, Cameron, Carter, Winston, Charlotte, Oliver, Shiloh, and Maverick.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a daughter, Cynthia, whom she carried in her heart always; her father-and mother-in-law, John Smith Sr and Mary Smith, who remained constants in her life; daughter-inlaw Debra Smith; son-in-law Michael Losey, who she both adored; three beautiful sisters, Valery Mix, Portia Hephner and Delois Farnsworth; and her best friend and faithful companion, her adored Yorkie, Petie.

Colleen will be remembered in the small, ordinary moments- the kind that matter most. She was not perfect. She was human, and she was magnificent in that humanity. Even when memory began to fade, words slipped away, and time became unfamiliar, love endured. Her eyes still lit up at the sight of her "kids". Even as illness tried to take pieces of her, it never took her heart.

If love alone could have saved her she would have lived forever. She was our beginning, our foundation, and our home. And she will be remembered- always.

In lieu of flowers at this time, floral tributes may be sent for a graveside service to be held at a later date at the Maple Grove Cemetery, 400 E. Reading Rd, Jefferson Township, Michigan.

Written by: Sarah Nickells & Jessica Jones.

Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service assisted the family with arrangements.