Gretchen L. (Lowry) Brown

Gretchen Lowry Brown, died on the twenty-fifth of May 2025 aged 84. She married James A. Brown on June 4th, 1960. After raising their children, Gretchen graduated from Holy Family College with a degree in education in 1988. Her teaching experience included kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade, all of which she loved intensely. Her children and students often heard “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”  She also observed often that life was not fair but that is no excuse for not trying.

In addition to her professional functions, Gretchen sang in church and community choirs, ran the Youth group and the Girl Scouts, and helped organize the Young Women’s group. An active church member, she was most recently an active member of Christ Church, Philadelphia.

 Gretchen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018. Till the end, she retained her spirit. While increasing dependency was difficult, she persevered, retaining her interest in art and music to the end.

Gretchen was proceeded in death by her husband Rev. James A. Brown, her adoptive parents Timothy G. and Katherine B. Lowry, her biological parents Milton and Juanita Cook, and her brother Timothy G. Lowry Jr. She is survived by her daughters Mary Brown, Elizabeth (John) Fitzgerald, son James H. (Jennifer) Brown, grandchildren John, Conner, Amanda, Ian, and Jamie, her sisters Kathy Miller and Sally Cook, brother Charles Cook, many nephews and nieces and a host of friends.

No flowers by request, but a donation in her memory to any scholarship fund, reforesting fund, or Alzheimer’s research would certainly please her.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Memorial Service on Thursday October 16, 2025 at 11 AM, in Christ Church, Second and Market Streets, Phila Pa 19106 (20 North American St.)

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