Veva C. Lowe

In the early morning hours of April 9th, 2016 Veva Cohee Lowe, aka Mamaw V, earned her wings and began her long-awaited reunion waltz with her husband Jerry. The other attendees of her heavenly welcome party include; her parents Roy and Helen Cohee, daughter Patti Gomez, her brothers Mike, Lloyd, baby Patrick, and "Bud", her sisters "Barb", Norma, and Audrey, and she was no doubt greeted by the wagging and waiting tails of her beloved pets including Honey, Tonya, and Boots.

Veva is survived by her daughter Toni and husband Clark Hulce of Albuquerque, NM, her son Terry and his wife Georgia Lowe of Williamsburg, VA; Son-In-Law Michael Gomez of Nevada City, CA, sister Joan Orr of Prescott, AZ; grandchildren, Barry, Vicki, Greg, and Nick; four great-grandchildren Zoe, Colton, Becca, and Maggie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Veva was born February 10, 1925 in Gillette, Wyoming. She was the 4th eldest of eight sisters and brothers. As a youngster she enjoyed spending weekends at her Grandparents' farm. Another favorite memory was going each morning to the café operated by her parents to order toast and "toffee." As a teenager she excelled in academics and sports, playing basketball in both high school and college. She attended college in Greely, Colorado where she majored in mathematics.

Veva met the love of her life while they were both working at Casper Airfield during World War II. Jerry was a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, a long way from his family in Brooklyn, New York. After their marriage, the military moved them over 20 times, including tours in Mt. Home, Idaho; Hondo, Texas; New Orleans; March AFB; Washington DC; as the Air Attaché to the Philippines; Hong Kong where she was part of the volunteer group the Gray Ladies; and culminating with a two year tour in Hawaii. Veva took advantage of being exposed to the various cultures by learning the recipes of the favorite local dishes. As a result, she was well known for her culinary skills and entertaining prowess. In Hong Kong she had the opportunity to study and practice Chinese style water color artwork. She became an accomplished artist, producing several gallery quality paintings.

When Jerry retired from the Air Force, he and Veva purchased a Landau motor home dubbed "The Lucky Lowes", and drove it around the United States while looking for the perfect place to settle down. During their 9 months of travel in the motor home Veva found time to hand make numerous, unique, beautiful Christmas ornaments. Each represents an obvious labor of love and treasured memory for her children, grandchildren and others who possess one.

They found their dream home in Rancho Bernardo, just north of San Diego California. For almost 20 years, Veva and Jerry, aka "Mamaw and Granddad", contributed to their community, travelled extensively, entertained, and spent as much time doting on their grandchildren as possible.

After Jerry passed away in 1990, Veva remained in their house in Rancho Bernardo for 9 years. She eventually moved to the Air Force Village in Riverside, California, where she remained involved in local activities including the Air Force Village Church. Following a stroke in 2010 she moved to Grass Valley California to be near her daughter Patti and Son-In-Law Michael Gomez until Patti passed away in 2012. Later that year, she moved to the Beehive Homes in Taylor Ranch, Albuquerque, NM, near her Daughter Toni and family who were blessed to have her close enough to share the last part of her journey on earth.

Veva was very creative, and a person of many talents including: Chinese watercolor painting, cooking, entertaining, interior design, flower arranging, and the intricately beaded Christmas ornaments we all cherish. She loved doing the New York Times crossword puzzles, lilacs, gardenias, mashed potatoes, crispy bacon, good bread, good scotch, Christmas time, and most of all- her family. An avid bridge player, she was both a life master and a master of life. As an Air Force Colonel's wife she worked hard, sacrificed much, never complained, and like every great dance partner- she was able to do it all flawlessly, backwards, and in heels. Most of all she was a lady, a lady of unfaltering beauty, style and grace. To say she will be missed while she is off on this last grand adventure, doesn't cover it any more than the words above can convey the life and loves of such an amazing woman, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and cherished friend.

This isn't Goodbye, only Aloha our Gorgeous Queen V, until we meet again where Love and Light reign.