Marian J. Lowe

Marian Jean (Jennings) Lowe was born on May 6, 1928, to Thomas Vern and Helen (Keller) Jennings. She was born in Defiance County, Ohio in the Jennings family home at St. Michael's Ridge. She died February 1, 2025, at the Franciscan Care Center, Toledo. She began school at St. Michael's Ridge Parish and then after the family moved to Toledo attended St. Patrick's (now the Historic Church of St. Patrick) grade school. She went to Scott High School during the years of World War II. She worked as a waitress at Kewpee's restaurant and at Tiedtke's Department Store in the bakery. Working in a store enabled her to buy items which were scarce during WWII such as cigarettes and nylons for family members. She remembered VJ Day as Tiedtke's owner told the clerks to take whatever baked goods they wanted, give away all the rest, close up and go home. She said it wasn't easy to get home as the streets were filled with people celebrating and sailors on street corners wanting to kiss as many girls as possible. After her two older children were in school, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of going to beauty college and becoming a hairdresser. She graduated from Warner's Beauty College in 1958. She worked at Thelma's in Sylvania and then Miracle Miss at Miracle Mile. For many years she owned and operated her own beauty salon, MarianLee Hairstylists, with her sister Lee in Toledo's south end. For a time, she was an instructor at MaChere Beauty College. During her years as a hairdresser, she was active in the National Hairdressers' and Cosmetologists' Association, often traveling to Detroit and New York City, learning the latest styles such as the short-lived Beehive style and the Poodle Cut. She held offices in the Toledo and state of Ohio NHCA affiliates. She was active in Eagles 197 Auxiliary on Jackman Road. She held many offices over time and performed as a drummer on the championship drill team, competing throughout the United States at annual Eagles' conventions. At the Eagles she met Jim Lowe and found true happiness. Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly at age 52. She remained a widow for the rest of her life. She realized another dream in her 60's in earning her GED and enrolling at the University of Toledo. She proudly graduated in 1985, no small part due to the excellent counseling of her advisor, the late Dorothy Petee. She was a fine arts major and loved her art classes. She often mentioned Dr. Wilson's history class where they studied World War II. Although college studies were challenging in the beginning, she made Dean's list several times in her last semesters. At an age when most are thinking of retiring, she began a career as a state of Ohio employee, working at the Ohio Lottery. Based in the Toledo office, she traveled the rural roads of Northwest Ohio on her lottery route. She received recognition as an outstanding employee for signing up the most agents. Her last job was as a travel counselor at Ohio Department of Transportation's travel information center on Interstate 75 near Bowling Green. Throughout her working years she still managed to find time to volunteer in the community. She spent many a Monday (her day off) cutting, shampooing, setting, and perming the hair for the residents of the Lucas County Old Folks Home and the Little Sisters of the Poor Home. During her later years she sang in the choir at St. Patrick's on Sundays and in the Funeral choir at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Sylvania. She was a proud member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Lucas County. She was active in her son-in-law Mike Collins' successful campaign for Mayor of Toledo. She resided in Sylvania, Ohio, living independently with the support of family. Her niece, Helen Brywczynski, stayed many nights with her, making it possible for her to remain at home. Marian was a proud mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband James J. Lowe and her brother Thomas L. Jennings and his wife Nancy and sister Leota Reihing and her husband Everett. She is survived by her three daughters: Sandy Drabik Collins, Cindy Drabik McFarland (Frank), and Wendy Ondrus Debian; her grandchildren Jennifer Case and Frank McFarland, Jr; her great grandchildren Kayleigh Stokes (Justin) and Phoebe Potter; her great great grandchildren Jordyn and Jayleigh Stokes, niece Helen Brywczynski (Bob), nephew Thomas Jennings, Jr (Suellen) as well as great nieces and great nephews. The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of the Franciscan Care Center for their kind and loving care during her three-week stay. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Sunday, February 9 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 4:30 . The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 10 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania at 10:00 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.stjoesylvania.org/livestream Burial will be at Toledo Memorial Park. Please leave a condolence message at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

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Marian J. Lowe

May 6, 1928 - February 1, 2025