GLOUCESTER, MA: Frances L. (Nye) Lowe, 81, died Tuesday, July 20, 2010 in the Golden Living Center following an extended illness. She was the wife of the late Edwin E. “Pee Wee” Lowe, who died in February of 2000. They had shared 52 years of marriage.
Born in Palmer, Massachusetts on March 17, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Wallace and Eleanor L. (Biron) Nye. Fran spent several years at the New England Home for Little Wanderers and eventually joined the family of Dot and Mal Hyde in Magnolia.
Shortly after her graduation from Gloucester High School in 1948, Fran married Ed and they raised their family in Magnolia.
She was employed for many years at the former Shore Cliff-Deaconess Retirement Home. She had also worked for Cunningham and Kerr Insurance and as a tour guide at Hammond Castle.
A talented vocalist, Fran sang in numerous church choirs including, the Union Congregational Church and Trinity Congregational Church. She was a member of the Harmonettes, Chorus North Shore, the Manchester Women’s Chorus, as well as several others.
In addition, she performed in and directed musicals and plays. Fran had an expert eye for designing and making costumes. As chairperson of the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, Fran was instrumental in the selection of winners that advanced to the National Federation of Music Clubs, Inc.
In 1979 Fran and Ed traveled across the United States in their RV and finally settled in Winter Haven, FL in 1981. Their love for the Red Sox and the many theater opportunities made this the perfect choice. They returned to Gloucester in 1993 to be closer to their family.
Fran was extremely adventurous and would sail, fly, or drive anywhere at any time. Along with her music, her hobbies included reading, sewing, knitting, and art. She enjoyed time spent with her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her two daughters, Sharon E. Lowe and Patricia D. (Lowe) Grover and her husband, Robert, III, her son, Kevin B. Lowe and his wife, Sonya; three grandchildren, Cynthia (Muise) MacDonald and her husband, Bryan, Mark Muise and his partner, Michael, Jamie Anderson and his wife, Cassie; six great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Christopher, Jaimee, Kylie, Jocelyn, and Owen. She also leaves her siblings Raymond Nye and his wife Elaina, Roberta McLaughlin, Debi Dow and her husband, Owen, Sally Mullins, Sara Petkevitch and her husband, Al and many nieces and nephews and her dear friend, Joanne Hatch. She was predeceased by Charles and Dorothy Hyde, Jean Mussomeli, Theodore Nye, Kenneth Nye, and Charles Hyde, Jr. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle St., Gloucester from 4 – 7 p.m. Her funeral service will be held on Sunday afternoon in the Trinity Congregational Church, 70 Middle St. Gloucester at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Magnolia Historical Society, P. O. Box 5551, Magnolia, MA 01930.