Shirley Marie Lowe

   Shirley Marie Lowe, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away on June 26, 2026, at the age of 96, at the Sholom Nursing Home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Born on October 22, 1929, in Melrose Park, Illinois, Shirley was a cherished daughter of James and Carrie (Larson) Anderson. She was raised in Spencer, Iowa, where she graduated from Spencer High School in 1948.
After high school, Shirley began working at Northwest Bell Telephone Company in Cherokee. She eventually transferred back to Spencer. 

   On November 17, 1950, she married Arthur Lowe in Jackson, Minnesota, and together they built a warm and nurturing home. After five years of dedicated service at the telephone company, Shirley embraced her role as a mother, raising her two daughters. In 1963, the family relocated to California, where Shirley continued her career with AT&T as a switchboard operator for 29 years. In 1993, she and Arthur returned to Spencer. Arthur passed away in 1998. Shirley, wanting to be closer to her daughter Marcia, moved to St. Paul in 2023. Shirley was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer, where her passion for quilting shone through as she made world relief quilts for those in need. Her joyful spirit extended to her love for dance, as she relished the moments spent at the Hartley and Spencer Dance Clubs, with her companion, Roger Coffman. Fondly nicknamed "Momper" by her grandson, Eric. Shirley's warmth and kindness left an indelible imprint on all who knew her. She treasured time with her family and her dog, Buster.

    Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Arthur, who passed away in 1998, and her brother, James Anderson. She is survived by her daughters: Marcia Byrd (David) of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and Patricia Todd (Brian) of Anaheim, California; her five grandchildren: Eric Byrd, Renee Byrd, Lauren Jones (Chris), Scott Todd (Alia) and Chris Todd; her six great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.