Mary Margaret Lowery

Mary Margaret Lowery, 74 of Whitewood, died January 26, 2012 at Spearfish Regional Hospital.

She joined her sisters Bonnie & Georgia on Christmas Day 1937 in Eagle Butte SD. With such a special birthday, which she loved, it's no surprise she became such a special person.

Mary's love of animals started at an early age and continued throughout her life. She had a zest for life and adventure and set out to the Black Hills at an early age. Through the years she acquired three daughters and five husbands (not at the same time). She met and married C.L. Lowery in Cheyenne, WY and they were together many years.

Mary was a hard-working person who enjoyed life and people enjoyed being around her. She loved her children, family, and friends. And, of course, her pets were family.

One morning in 1981 Mary came to work and found her employer had filed bankruptcy and her job was gone. As a single mother that did not work so she started a truck dispatch business called Low-Man Agency. Her oldest daughter joined her in 1983. Low-Man Agency moved to Whitewood in 1985.

In her younger years Mary seemed part gypsy. Sometimes due to jobs, sometimes family, Mary and her family lived in numerous cities and states. She always made moving an adventure and something to look forward to. However, the Black Hills were home and she always came back. She did manage to stay away a couple years when living in Reno near her youngest daughter and grandchildren. However, home is home-so back to the "Hills".

Poor health caught up with Mary in the last few years and she was plagued by breathing problems and pneumonia. Unfortunately her retirement in 2010 was not very exciting as many of her normal activities were curtailed due to lack of breath. That just meant that people got to come visit her. She enjoyed company and was blessed with many good friends, especially her cousin Sally.

Mary leaves behind a legacy of love and caring, a determination to work hard and enjoy life, help when you can, and family is family. She will be sorely missed by her daughters, Kayleen Cassidy (Leo) of Spearfish SD and Aldine Reynolds of Reno NV; two sisters, Bonnie Miller of Eagle Butte SD and Georgia Chambers of Everett WA; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many special friends to whom she was very dear.

She will be joining her parents Ellen & Paul Marshall and daughter Fanchon MacDonald.

There will be an open house celebrating her life at the Sturgis VFW on Wednesday, February 1, from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Memorials will be directed to the care and well being of animals.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Sturgis.

Her online guest register is available at www.blackhillsfuneralhome.com.