Obituaries

Our beloved mother Helen Louise Lowery, 90, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026 with her daughter Jeanne by her side. In the preceding days and hours she was surrounded by love in the presence of her children and grandchildren, in person, and by video calls. Her room was often filled with joyful music and worship songs, which she loved. Helen had a quiet, but genuine faith in Jesus that brought her much comfort in her later years.

Born May 27, 1935, in Green Springs, Ohio, Helen was the youngest and last surviving of the eight children born to Paul and Margaret (Robbins) Evert. She was raised on the family farm along with her siblings: Marcia (Bill) Gilbert; William (Glori) Evert; Jack (Alice) Evert; Allen (Kathy) Evert; Richard (Mae) Evert; Robert Evert (died in infancy) and Joanne (John) Reiderman.

Helen and her sister Joanne graduated from Thompson High School in Bellevue, Ohio in 1954. They attended many events together such as going to the local Silver Ballroom on Saturday nights, where Helen began her lifelong love of dancing!  It was on the family farm where she met her first husband, Larry O. McGrady. He was working for a local dairy and came to collect milk from the family's cows. They married in 1956 in Fremont, Ohio and had four children together. They divorced in 1972.

Around 1976 Helen met Vivian Lawrence Lowery (lovingly referred to as "V"), whom she considered "the love of her life." They moved to Bothell, Washington where they were married on Helen's birthday, May 27, 1978. Her three daughters soon joined them in Washington state. Over the years Helen and V had many opportunities to enjoy their grandchildren, in Washington and Ohio, attending their sports events, and often taking them camping and fishing,

In the fall 1997, Helen and V moved to Tucson, Arizona. Sadly, V passed away unexpectedly in early 1998. They had spent 20 wonderful years together. Helen continued to enjoy many winters at Rincon West RV Resort, referring to her park model home in Tucson as her “CANdominium!  She made many special friends there and enjoyed the activities, especially dancing, at the various events through the years. Helen loved to sit on her porch and greet people as they passed by and often shared her homemade cookies, and lemons from her tree, with friends and neighbors. She would tell folks back home about her life at Rincon in hopes that they might want to visit her there.
 
During the desert summers in Arizona, Helen returned to Washington state to be with her children. As her health declined, her daughters and their families provided quality time and care. They spent many hours listening as she recalled her childhood and early memories. Helen enjoyed the laughter, music and worship she shared with her children. She even taught her son-in-law the Thompson High School fight song which they often sang together!

During Helen's last weeks and hours, she was blessed to be able to enjoy her loved ones via in-person visits and video chats. Whenever Lisa called from Bolivia, she always ended their conversation by singing Carol Burnett's signature closing song, "I'm so glad we had this time together... seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say so long."  It was bittersweet to sing their special song one last time, their final phone farewell.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-59vQhr4to

Helen is survived by her 4 children: Jeanne (Marty) Nystrom, Julie (the late Kent) Berryman, Randy (Deb) McGrady, and Lisa (Ron) Stewart; 9 grandchildren; 18 great and great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and extended family who will all forever cherish her memory.

GRANDCHILDREN: Nathan Nystrom (Summer),  Benjamin (Jolina) Nystrom; Curtis Berryman, Blake (Ashley) Berryman; Erik (Kristy) McGrady, Shana (Jeremy) Lozano, Katie (Joe) Sebetto; Rocio (Clayton) Rose, and Nicolas Stewart.
GREAT and *GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Joshua, Bennett, Belle, Sierra (*Kaydri & Everleigh); Austin, (Kiely,*Shyloh & baby due 2026), Kayden (Kenadie), (Landen, stillborn), Jaycee, Graci; Miranda, Chase, Lyndee, Cullen, Lola.  

Donations in Helen's name can be made to World Indigenous Missions, to help support her daughter and son-in-law (Lisa and Ron Stewart) in their work with the Deaf in Bolivia. 

Tax deductible gifts may be sent to their website @ https://worldim.com/1308/ ;
or checks made payable to: World Indigenous Missions (WIM), with #1308 only in the memo line.(no names) 

Mail to WIM @ P.O. Box 310627, New Braunfels, TX 78131-0627

The family will have a Celebration of Helen's Life at some time in the future.