Patricia Jean Lowry

surrounded by her loving family. A long-time summer resident, Pat enjoyed nothing more than

gathering her children, grandchildren, and many friends for “big fun” on the lake, which she

successfully accomplished even as her health failed.

Born September 21, 1942, to Helen (Williams) and Leonard Bostic of South Charleston, West Virginia,

Pat’s intelligence and beauty both inside & out shown through from an early age. She enjoyed tap

dancing and ballet, and was selected Miss Majorette of Kanawha County in 1959. She was awarded an

academic scholarship to West Virginia University, where she diligently pursued her degree in English,

while also being tirelessly pursued by a cadre of suitors. It took a basketball standout, Thomas K.

(T.K.) Lowry, to win her heart. The college sweethearts were married surrounded by family, friends,

and Pat’s Alpha Xi Delta sorority sisters, shortly after Pat earned her BA in 1964.

Pat and T.K. moved to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where they worked in the automotive industry and

welcomed 3 children: Helen Elizabeth (Beth), Thomas Kirkpatrick III (Kirk), and Adam Kenning. Pat

– a lifelong crossword wizard – taught English in the evenings, as well. After a few years, Pat & T.K.

decided to “bet on themselves,” and founded T.K. Lowry Sales, representing automotive

manufacturing firms to giants like Ford and Cadillac. While we cannot confirm whether Pat “brought

seat heaters to North America,” everyone knew how hard she and T.K. worked to grow their clients’

businesses and achieve success.

Pat was an active member of the community, volunteering with the Junior League of Detroit and

serving on the Village Council of Grosse Pointe Shores. She and T.K. were sailors and competed

together in the Thistle class. They owned several boats over the years – many named “Tomahawk” –

and sailed out of Crescent, Bayview and Little Traverse Yacht Clubs. In the 1980s & ‘90s, Pat was

often chief of the shore crew, welcoming boat mates and friends for post-regatta feasts, especially her

famous Low Country Boil. (The recipes she passed down to her children usually read “Serves

16-20”!)

In retirement, Pat and T.K. continued to relish their summers “Up North” in Harbor Springs, but

decided to spend their winter months in the warmer climate (and home of son, Kirk, and his family) of

Charlotte, North Carolina. Pat quickly immersed herself in her new community, becoming active in

golf, gardening club, and a book club with friends. Pat was a savage card player, and enjoyed running

the Bridge table both in Charlotte and in Harbor Springs at the Petoskey Bay View Country Club. She

was an avid golfer and organized her famous weekend tournament with friends – the Girls’ Golf

Getaway (G3) – where the golf was serious, the food & wine delicious, and the ultimate hostess could

sometimes be caught in her signature snort-laugh at a particularly entertaining shared memory.

After losing T.K. to cancer in 2009, Pat continued to focus on family and friends, traveling often to

visit and spend time with her children & grandchildren, or share an international adventure with family

or friends. Despite her declining health, she continued to be the rock of her family, and her positive

spirit, resiliency and sense of humor were evident till the end. Pat – or Patti Jean to her closest – will

be remembered for her open & giving heart, her steadfast spirit, and her compassionate caring for

friends & family throughout her life.

Pat was predeceased by her parents and her husband, T.K. She is survived by & remembered as a

generous, kind, and loving mother and devoted Nana to her children, their spouses, and grandchildren:

Beth Lowry & Carl Melchior, Michael Schudlich, Ryan Schudlich, and Drew Melchior of Grosse

Pointe Woods, MI; Kirk & Gwen Lowry, Eliza Lowry, and Thomas Kirkpatrick “Kip” Lowry IV of

Charlotte, NC; and Adam & Mara Lowry, Kenning Lowry, and Ryan Lowry of Mill Valley, CA. Due

to the Covid-19 Pandemic, an online celebration of Pat’s life will be held this summer. In lieu of

flowers, memorials to honor Pat may be made to:

•Thomas K. And Patricia B. Lowry Basketball Scholarship, WVU Foundation, PO Box 1650

Morgantown, WV 26507-1650

• Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, 426 Bay Street, Petoskey, MI 49770, watershedcouncil.org;

• Little Traverse Conservancy, 3264 Powell Road, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, [email protected];

or

• National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, kidney.org.