Mother was a tough old gal having braved spinal surgery at an advancing age and suffering with complications ever since. Finally becoming wheelchair bound over the last couple years.
Nevertheless she was to survive the forces of Hurricane Dorian in Marsh Harbour to be returned to her home in Nassau by the Clearwater Florida Coast Guard helicopter after her home was ravaged.
At first her spirits were a little dampened as one can imagine, but she rallied during the second week back home in Nassau.
By the third week she seemed to lose all her gusto and passed away at home at 7:00am, Monday, September 23, 2019 at the ripe old age of 92.
Both Mom and Dad were not only our parents but our friends. In fact they were friends to many. Even though they were older they were fun loving and as energetic as the youngest in the group.
Everyone thought Dad was the disciplinarian but Mom was the power behind the throne so to speak. From tripping while chasing us around the bed with the fly swatter to threatening us with that well worn phrase “just wait ‘til your father gets home” to the hugs after the “punishment”, the pleasure always balanced out the pain.
When we would tease her about that she would often begin her retort with “kiss your nubbit” (whatever that meant) and remind us that Dad always got his way if he felt she meted out too tough a sentence.
As Mom got harder of hearing, which from our perspective seemed to set in decades ago, she would always say the dandiest things at the wrong time, thinking she was whispering but the whole room could hear her.
Mom loved to dance. And she and Dad would often be the last on the dance floor at the end of a party. When Dad slowed down and Uncle David was there those two would dance the night away.
Mother was more than her children could ask for–tough but kind and loving. The grandkids were always in her house, it was a revolving door for them. Mom was a second mother to her grandsons.
Watching cartoons with them was her specialty. When we’d come home we would find the children had snuck away and Mom was still watching the cartoons not aware they had gone.
Whenever any family member, and not just her children, would visit, she would light up like a Christmas tree with joy of being able to spend a little time with her friends and extended family.
Mom and Dad always wanted everybody around them and Sundays were always a party.
Mom had a deep affection and love for all her siblings that only strengthened over time and in her latter years Auntie Peggy Pinder, Uncle Vincent and Aunt Shirley Higgs made her struggles that much easier to bear and we are grateful.
As Linda noted, Mom is in a better place now and dancing the night away once again with the love of her life.
We will miss you Mom.
With love,
The Lowe Family
Enid Phyllis Lowe
Born: Saturday, February 26, 1927
Died: Monday, September 23, 2019
Phyllis, born in Nassau, was the second of the six children of Maynard and
Bernice Higgs.
Starting school at Camplejohn Primary she finished at Sacred Heart School.
Phyllis started working at the Montague Beach Hotel moving on to Rogers Department Store. Later in life she worked for companies owned by Neville Roberts in Nassau and Marsh Harbour before taking over the Union Jack Hotel and Restaurant. Moving back to Nassau she retired from Whim Automotive.
In 1945 Phyllis met the love of her life, Wayne, and they were married on May 3, 1949, remaining inseparable for 61 years.
Phyllis succumbed after a brief illness on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 92 years of age.
She was pre-deceased by her parents; sister, Elizabeth Sweeting, (Chester) brothers Oswald and David Higgs (Jean) and grandsons Brian Pinder and Craig Albury; great grandson Mason Pinder, sons-in-law Jeffrey Sands, Jim Cates and Derek Albury.
Phyllis is survived by daughters Julie Cates and Linda Albury; son Rick Lowe (Joanne), grandsons Cameron Sands (Amy) Randy Pinder (Heather), Christopher Lowe (Catherine), Matthew Lowe. Brother Vincent Higgs (Shirley); sister Peggy Pinder (Encil deceased).
Great grands: Rhiannon Pinder, Alora Pinder, Aria Pinder, Wyatt Sands, Crawford Lowe and Kirstie Albury.
Nephews & Nieces: Maureen Pinder (Gordon), Dennis Pinder (Gail), DerekPinder (Renee), Lori Newbold (Vince), Laurence Higgs (Monica), Susan Davies (Mark), Jonathon Higgs (Judith), Jason Higgs (Deborah) and Paul Higgs (Thesly). Tony Collins (Jackie), Kim Bethel and Michael Lowe.
Cousins & Special Friends: Terry & Margaret Rose Kanitsch, Sharen Lowe, Linda Lorandos, John & Joan Roberts, Annette Russell, Muriel Lowe, Alison Albury, Scott & Myrtie Lowe, Patrick Bethel, Bill & Anna Nylund, Veronica Saunders, and Eloise Wilson.
Phyllis leaves numerous relatives and friends including cousins, great nieces and great nephews.
Memorial service held at Trinity Methodist Church Frederick Street Nassau, Bahamas Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 11:00 am
Officiating:
Rev. L. Carla R. Culmer, President, Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church
Rev Bill Higgs
Mr. Hartis Pinder
Organist: Mr. Kendrick Coleby
