Mary Lowder Obituary

Mary Ellen passed away peacefully on April 23, 2009 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born in Pueblo, Colorado on March 11, 1922, Mary Ellen was not only a Colorado native, but a resident of Colorado Springs for over 60 years. Her grandparents, Michael and Mary Sullivan, were both born in Ireland and settled in Colorado in 1872. Michael helped build the Denver & Rio Grande railroad through the Royal Gore to Grand Junction. Her parents, Thomas and Anna Sullivan, continued the pioneer family heritage in Pueblo. Thomas was instrumental in building the initial electrical system for the CF&I Corporation. Mary Ellen is survived by her sister, Patricia Sullivan Randolph, 90, who resides in Pueblo. Mary Ellen met and married Keith M. Lowder in 1943 in Pueblo, Colorado. They were the proud parents of four children, four grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She loved her family and friends dearly. Some of the great joys through out her life were researching her Irish and German heritage. She was an outstanding artist and seamstress and loved to travel. One of her great passions was her china painting, where she won numerous awards for her entries in the Colorado State Fair. She was a member of the Colorado China Painters Association and traveled throughout the State to the many shows displaying and selling her art. Mary Ellen also worked for various companies in Colorado Springs including ENT Air Force Base, El Paso County and LooArt. She was a member of the Elks’ Wives and Corpus Christ Catholic Church. She is survived by her four children, Loralea Lowder and Tom Lowder of Colorado Springs; Denny Lowder and his wife Elly, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Phyllis (Lowder) Gress and husband Frank Emory of Kremmling, Colorado. Four grandchildren, Branden (Tammy) Lowder, Karl (Shara) Unruh, Ana (Clark) Cohen and Trevor (Jenna) Lowder. Her great-grandchildren are Brandi, Cierra, Ashley and TorrieBeth Lowder; Jake and Maddie Unruh; Marianne Cohen and Lexi Lowder; her sister-in-law, Valarie Lowder in Anchorage, Ak., and many nieces and nephews. Viewing will be at The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 E. Platte Ave. 2 - 8 p.m., Thursday, April 30. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Friday, May 1 at Corpus Christ Catholic Church, 2318 N. Cascade Avenue, followed by a reception. Burial to follow at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Colorado. Donations may be made to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care or One Nation. We will all miss you so very much. Our sweet memories of you will forever be in our hearts.