Sheryl Kaye LOWE

March 25, 1944 - November 23, 2023

*Obituary
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Sheryl Kaye Lowe, a beloved wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother who brought joy and love to every life she touched, died on Thursday, November 23, 2023. She was 79.

Professionally, Sheryl was best known for her illustrious, 40-year real-estate career with some of the finest real estate brokerages in Austin, Texas. Her 24/7 personal care of clients, cheerfulness, hard work, and astute knowledge of the Austin real estate market all helped to make her consistently a top producer in the offices with which she was affiliated. Sheryl’s career culminated with membership in Austin’s “Elite 25,” awarded to only the top 25 residential real estate agents who have demonstrated unparalleled reputations, exceptional business affiliations, and proven past performance.

Beyond her professional real estate career, Sheryl was a woman of multifaceted passions, boundless energy, and unwavering commitment to helping anyone in need. Sheryl was also beautiful; after modeling for Jantzen Sportswear in high school, she declined their offer of a professional modeling career to go to college. She attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1962-64. She then transferred to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1966. From there she moved to California and worked as a kindergarten teacher for 8 years. She then continued her education, earning a master’s degree in Education from Pepperdine University in 1975. Her work-life took a different direction when she moved to Austin, Texas, in 1977 with her second husband, and opened “The Best of Everything Natural Foods and Kitchenware” in West Lake Hills. Together, they owned and managed this store for 3 years before Sheryl moved her professional focus to real estate.
A native of Michigan, Sheryl was born on March 25, 1944, in Grand Rapids. She was the daughter of Frederick Vander Jagt Sr. and Rolvina (Ruth) Mulder. Although raised in Grand Rapids, MI, Sheryl spent the majority of her adult life in Torrance, CA, and Austin, TX.

She is survived by her husband, Martin Dion “Doc” Lowe; the daughter of her former marriage, Heather McKelvey (husband Scott) of Houston, TX; and son Justin D. Lowe (wife Alicia) of Austin, TX. She is predeceased by her son, Chad McLaughlin. Sheryl is also survived by her stepchildren: Laura Hersom (husband Craig) of Lodi, CA; John Lowe (wife Kathy) of Napa, CA; Lisa Geyer (husband Kirk) of Napa, CA; Serein Rohrer (husband Bill) of Round Rock, TX; and Kyle Lowe of Austin, TX. She is also survived by her grandchild, Connor McKelvey; and step-grandchildren, James, John, Ryan, and Chad Hersom; Maile, Jordan, and Jokayla Lowe; Aaron, Kirsha, Lila, Teal, and Kelli Geyer; Taylor and Colby Rohrer; and Tyler, Delaney, and Sophia Lowe. Sheryl was also blessed with numerous great-grandchildren.

In addition to branding her professional pursuits, Sheryl’s care for those around her embraced almost every aspect of her life. A proud 13-year survivor of breast cancer, she volunteered enthusiastically for central Texas’s “Breast Cancer Resource Center,” providing various services, such as rides to and from treatments, to aid their treatment for women in need.

In a motherly fashion, she provided a home and full support to three teenagers whose parents could no longer care for them, allowing them to finish high school and go on to college and independence as successful adults. In her later life, she was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, whether it be money, food, or even a comfortable place to stay for the night. Sheryl’s devotion to Christ and her religion inevitably played a role in her concern for others, and she reflected at times that her faith was also what carried her through the most difficult times in her life.

Sheryl was always an active person and exercised daily. In the last decades of her life, Pilates was her chosen pursuit. An avid “sun worshipper,” Sheryl always chose the beach for her vacations, with
Hermosa Beach, California; Destin, Florida; and Anywhere, Mexico, particular favorites. When not working, she could often be found in the afternoon laying in the sun by her pool. She embraced gardening and bird feeding with equal fervor and kept no fewer than 10 bird feeders full, numerous potted flowers blooming, and her many house plants healthy. Sheryl could take what appeared to be nothing more than a stick with leaves, place it in dirt, and have a healthy plant soon thereafter.
Her profound affection for dogs and family was evident. Her last two dogs, beloved Labrador Retrievers, Sam and Kota Bear, received her full attention and held a special place in her heart. To Sheryl, her dogs were members of the family, and she lovingly walked and exercised them daily. In addition, her many children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and friends received her undivided attention as she spent hours with them on the phone each week as a patient listener and supporter.

Sheryl leaves behind a legacy woven with love and commitment in all facets of life. The lives she touched were invariably better for her caring concern, perpetual optimism, and willingness to go the extra mile. She will be profoundly missed as a devoted mother and wife and a woman with a true dedication to the Austin real estate market and anyone in need with whom she came into contact.

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, February 9, in the chapel at Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Sheryl’s name to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas.

Source: centraltexascremation.com

Contributed on 10/9/24 by ashaw444
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