Obituary of Florence Lowry
Alice Florence Lowry (nee Morrison) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a short and courageous battle with cancer on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Parkwood Institute Hospital in London, Ontario at the age of 79 years.
Florence was born on September 20, 1946, in the family home in Boisdale, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to Roderick and Laura (Ley) Morrison. She was the tenth of thirteen children and grew up in a lively, close-knit family filled with love and laughter.
Florence graduated from Iona High School, Cape Breton in 1965. She then attended Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro, Nova Scotia and graduated in 1967. Her first teaching positions were at Iona School, Gannon Road School, North Sydney, and Washabuck School in Cape Breton. This was the beginning of a career in education that Florence loved throughout her life. Florence attained her Bachelor degree at the University of Winnipeg in 1981. She taught at St. Charles Catholic School from 1973 until her retirement in 1999. For over 30 years, she touched the lives of countless students and families with her patience, kindness, and commitment.
In 1971, Florence moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived with her sister Tena Boyd, her husband Alex, and their children. Florence and her daughters, Mae Lynn and Jamie, were warmly welcomed into their home, becoming part of a large, loving extended family. Florence was an active member of St. Charles Catholic Church and community. She met the love of her life, Maxwell Lowry. Their love grew over many years, and Florence and Max were married in 1991. Together they shared a love of travel and enjoyed traveling throughout Canada and the USA and had many happy times in Hawaii, Florida, Australia, the Caribbean, and throughout Europe.
Although she loved to travel, Florence’s heart was always in Boisdale. After retirement, she returned every summer to her beloved family home overlooking the Bras d’Or Lake in Cape Breton. For more than 30 years, she lovingly cared for the property, tended her flowers, and enjoyed the peace and beauty of the place that shaped her childhood. Florence and Max enjoyed hosting many gatherings on the hill in Boisdale, welcoming family and friends for dinners, parties, Happy Hour Fridays, and lively laughter-filled evenings.
In 2008, Florence and Max moved to London, Ontario, to be closer to their daughters and five grandchildren. There, Florence enjoyed a vibrant social life at their condo, the Colborne Building, where she spent many happy years with friends in a swim group and regular “Wine Wednesday” gatherings. She loved music and delighted in attending concerts, plays and events with her daughters, friends, and siblings, creating memories that will be cherished forever.
Florence was a strong, dedicated, and independent mother who was deeply involved in her family’s lives. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Maxwell Lowry, and by her siblings Sister Mary Anne, Susan, Martin, Christena, Charlie, Joanna, and John James. She will be fondly remembered by her siblings Herbert (Sarah) Morrison, Malcolm (Sandra) Morrison, Beatrice MacDonald, Laureen MacDonald, and Gregory Morrison, brother-in-law Alexander Boyd, and sisters-in-law Doreen Morrison, Carol Morrison, and Betty Morrison.
She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Mae Lynn MacIsaac, partner Ronald Lewis; Jamie MacLean, husband Andre Biliski; her grandchildren Trent MacIsaac, Tyler MacIsaac, Cameron Biliski, Isabella Biliski, and Nolan Biliski; and her son-in-law John Patrick MacIsaac. Florence will be remembered for her gentle strength, love of family, joy in friendship, and the many lives she touched with care, warmth, and grace. Florence was loved by all and will be missed by her extended Lowry family, Maclean family, and the Morrison clan.
A Funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, 196 Dufferin Avenue, London, Ontario on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Florence and Max will be interred together at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Boisdale, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
