LEWISTON – Frances L. Lowe, 79, of New Gloucester, died Thursday, Dec. 16, at Central Maine Medical Center due to complications from pneumonia.

She was born in Hallowell, on March 31, 1925, to Ivan and Ilene Mosely Cole.

She was married to Edward C. Lowe Jr, for 52 years, most of which was spent in New Gloucester.

She grew up in South Portland and graduated from South Portland High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked at Maine Steel in South Portland, and later at the Portland Press Herald. She was very active in town affairs, and was a member of the planning board, budget committee, and was a library trustee. She later made town history by becoming the first woman to serve on the board of selectmen from 1981 to 1984.

Frances also volunteered many hours of service for the town in various ways. She was one of the first editors for the newly formed New Gloucester News, and also reported for the Lewiston Daily Sun. She was also involved with the Cub Scouts when her sons were enrolled.

Frances and Ed’s oldest son, Stephen, died in 1973 in a motorcycle accident. Shortly after that, Frances went to work at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston as a ward clerk in ICU. She was there for approximately five years before leaving to become a housewife again.

She loved to do crossword puzzles, and played many heated games of Scrabble with friends at her kitchen table. She took art lessons and did some oil painting, watercolor, pen and ink, scratchboard, and pencil drawings. She also enjoyed the weekly bowling league until she became ill.

She is survived by her husband, Edward C. Lowe Jr., of New Gloucester; a son, Peter F. Lowe of Oxford; a daughter, Deborah J. Lowe Emery and her husband, Dean M. Emery; three grandchildren, Eric E. Emery, Michael D. Emery, and Sherri E. Emery, all of New Gloucester; a cousin, Ella Andrews, of Hallowell; two nieces; and one nephew.

She was predeceased by her son, Stephen C. Lowe, in 1973; and her sister, Mary Estes, in 2000.

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