Donna Lowther

On July 14, 2025, Donna Jean (nee Kellaway) Lowther passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with dementia. She was born October 7, 1943 in Camden, NJ, to Norman and Marian Kellaway, and was raised in Haddon Heights, NJ along with her 6 younger siblings. In 1961 Donna graduated from Haddon Heights High School, where she was a cheerleader, as well as a contestant in a few teen beauty pageants. She then attended Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), graduating in 1965 with a degree in Elementary Education. She met her husband Bill in the summer of 1961 while he was attending the University of Pennsylvania. They were wed on the day after Christmas, December 26, 1964 during Donna's senior year at Glassboro. While Donna was finishing her last semester, Bill was in training in the Naval Aviation flight school as a jet pilot. Following her graduation from GSC, Donna joined Bill in NAS Meridian, Mississippi. After a few months here and at NAS Pensacola, FL it was on to NAS Kingsville, TX where Bill completed his flight training and was awarded his wings. It was here, in March 1966, where their first child, Bill, Jr., was born. It was also in Kingsville where Donna began her teaching career as a substitute teacher. In April, 1967, while Bill was in Vietnam, David was born.

Her teaching career resumed after Bill's military obligation was completed in 1970 and the family moved to Barrington, NJ, where Bill, Sr. was raised. The family then grew to 6 with the arrival of Marian in 1975 and Tricia in April, 1980. Donna's teaching career continued in the Barrington School District until her retirement in 2010. This was a bitter sweet decision for Donna as she loved teaching, especially students in the K through 3 grades. Phonics, reading, and writing were specialties she really enjoyed. Among the many reasons her students adored her, they loved that she was always dressed in the theme of every holiday period. Her enjoyment of all things children was especially evident at home. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were showered with her love and attention. It was at Grandmom's house where the kids could get treats that their parents would never allow at home. Her 4 children blessed her with 10 grandchildren, spread over 30 years so that there was always a recital, graduation, prom, wedding, shower, etc. to plan for. These events, as well as holidays and birthdays, were meticulously planned so that no child in attendance was without a gift, all of which were beautifully wrapped with color coordinated themed paper, labeled and stored away well ahead of the anticipated event. Holidays and celebrations will never be the same without Grandmom's special touch! Donna's talent for coordinating colors also extended to clothing her children, who were impeccably dressed, and decorating the interior of her house, where whites and pastels created an open, airy, and cheery ambiance.

Donna was also intensely patriotic. Military holidays inspired her to dress in the red, white, and blue of Old Glory. She was outwardly proud of her country, as she was her family, and especially proud to be the wife of a US Marine. Her faith was quiet but unwavering - a steady presence in her life that shaped how she loved, how she served, and how she endured. She was a devout Catholic who found peace and purpose in the rituals of the Church, comfort in prayer, and joy in attending Mass. Her undivided attention, dedication, and loyalty to her family was our bedrock and she will be sorely missed.

Donna is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Bill; her adoring children: Marian (Jon) Hughes, Bill Jr (Suzy), David (Nayha), and Tricia Dussinger; her adoring 10 grandchildren: Becka (Jacob) McPherson, Jonathan (Maggie), Christina, Billy, Bella, Alexandra, Michael, Sia, Bodhi, and Ahana; adoring great-grandchildren: Olivia, Sophia, and Penelope; sisters: Patty Pyne, Debbie (Joe) Fenton, Marybeth (Andy) Gordon, Nancy Romisher, and brother, John, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation, 10:00-10:45am, Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Holy Eucharist Church, 344 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, NJ where a Mass of Resurrection will follow 11:00am. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial donations will be deeply appreciated to: Cure Alzheimer's Fund - http://www.curealz.org/