Marilee McKee Lowery's Obituary
Marilee McKee Lowery was surrounded by her family at home as she left this earthly world to be with her heavenly father on July 16, 2020 at the age of 78. She fought a valiant battle against Parkinson's Disease while keeping a sharp mind to the very end. She was born in 1942 to Paul and Melba McKee in Center, Texas. Marilee was a single child who was always close to her cousin Nancy Thomason who passed away the day after her.
Marilee married her high school sweetheart Bobbie J. Lowery on September 8, 1960, the year she graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, Texas. They were married 60 years and together they raised three loving daughters. For several years Marilee and Bobbie resided in Clear Lake City where they raised their girls. As a mother, she made many sacrifices always putting her daughter's needs and activities first. Marilee had them in book clubs, dance schools, gymnastics, cheer and sports. She was always very supportive throughout their lives becoming a wise confidant up until her final days. In her late 20s Marilee began her college education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Houston Clear Lake. Marilee enjoyed poetry, writing and photography. For two decades she worked as a substitute teacher for Pasadena ISD. Marilee was a talented writer and poet; she had a special love for poets such as Percy Bysshe Shelley, who she named her third daughter after, as well as John Keats and Edgar Allen Poe. She particularly loved the Renaissance era and loved attending the yearly Texas Renaissance Festival with family and her sister-in-law Laura Irvin who was her best friend for many years. She also loved the yearly Christmas events such as The Dickens on the Strand in Galveston and the British Market in Houston where she would stock up on gifts, teas and shortbread cookies. During her retirement years she also attended a poetry club in Pasadena. She had a passion for European travel and exploring historical landmarks. On her final European trip with Bobbie, they had an adventure in Italy seeking out her favorite poet Shelley’s 1820s home in La Spezia. She was happy she had the opportunity to visit the most important places to her on earth and cherished those memories dearly. Marilee enjoyed many golden years with Bobbie, travelling in their Airstream camper and enjoying the fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables Bobbie grew in the garden. They have six grandchildren that she was very proud of. It was always important to her that every card and gift were perfectly suited for each of them and would pick them up along the way of her travels and special outings. She made sure each grandchild had their own special set of bookplates just as she and her father had in their books growing up. She enjoyed any chance she could to spend with her grandchildren including attending as many games, recitals and competitions as possible. She and Bobbie always had a special way in making visits to their house fun and memorable. In 2018 they were blessed with a great-grandson, this was very special to her. Marilee also loved her pets and throughout their life together they had many. She is preceded in death by her parents Paul McKee and Melba McKee and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by Bobbie J. Lowery (husband), Gaylynn Perrone (daughter), Robin Smith (daughter), Shelley Morgan (daughter) and grandchildren Cameron Smith, Patrick Smith, Annalee Perrone, Collin Hayes , Saylor Hayes, Kyle Hayes, great-grandson Jax Smith and several cousins, nieces and nephews. A small graveside service will be held at South Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pearland, Texas. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be announced at a later date and will include extended family and friends at Magnolia Creek Clubhouse in League City. Marilee leaves behind a family that will never be the same, will miss her terribly and will forever keep the many memories she helped provide close to their hearts.
If you would like to send flowers, please call Lush Flowers at 281-486-5874; or if you wish to make a donation in Mrs. Lowery's Honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's at https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate/our-goal-urgently-needed-cure?smcid=bg-a1b1R0000086fN9&msclkid=f0225a5c0cd512a849a80569435f58f5&gclid=CJb6zKmzmOsCFfOCxQIdKFoFEg&gclsrc=ds
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