Susan Hatch Lowry passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, at her home in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, surrounded by her loving family and beloved dog, Lucy. She was 86.
Born Feb. 13, 1939, in Oak Park, Illinois, Sue was the daughter of the late Walter Arthur Hatch and Olga Ohlrich Hatch. She was predeceased by her husband of 25 years, William Louis Lowry, II, and her brother, Walter V. Hatch. Survivors include her children, Mark Marotta, Catherine Aucella, Stephanie Marotta, Edward “Van” Shepherd and Kirsten McSpadden, from previous marriages.
Arriving in Pennsylvania in the very early 1960s, Sue lived for many years in Bucks County, the greater part of the time in Doylestown, followed by a shorter period in Churchville.
While raising a family during those years, Sue worked for a variety of companies, including Honeywell, Springhouse Publishing, and Church & Dwight. She also attended Delaware Valley College as a part-time student, earning an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
Around that same time, Sue reconnected with William Lowry, a former classmate from Oak Park-River Forest High School.
After marrying Bill, Sue moved to Oklahoma City. The couple eventually moved to the East Coast, settling in Pottstown, Penn., where they were active in New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Sue was an accomplished soprano, spending many years as a church soloist and performing in a variety of choral groups. Classically trained, she sang with the Canterbury Choral Society in Oklahoma City, with the group appearing regularly at that municipality’s Civic Center. After her return to Pennsylvania, Sue was a member of the Pottstown area’s Coventry Singers.
Additionally, Sue appeared in the 2014 production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man at the Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown. In her youth, she had parts in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore and Ruddigore. When Sue was young, she auditioned for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where she was offered a place in its chorus, but a teacher dissuaded her from taking advantage of the opportunity.
Sue’s interests were by no means limited to music or stage. Sewing and gardening were both great passions of hers. She had multiple sewing machines and was a trained Master Gardener. Sue also had a love of learning, and in addition to being a voracious reader, she mastered a variety of arts and crafts over the years including hooked rugs and wool dying, quilting, and stained glass. She reveled in creating delicious meals and treats for family, friends, and neighbors.
Furthermore, sharing a love for travel, Sue and Bill vacationed in Ireland, Italy and Iceland. They held a special love for Kennebunkport, Maine, where Bill proposed to Sue and where they returned for other special occasions. They also frequently visited their children and grandchildren across the country, from Maryland to Louisiana to Oklahoma to Washington state.
A woman of boundless love, Sue was a mom to many, and not just of her own children and their spouses, Mark and Deb Marotta, Jeffersonville, Penn.; Catherine and Frank Aucella, Maryland.; Stephanie Marotta and Doug Kane, Washington; Van and Candace Shepherd, Pennsylvania; and Kirsten and Beau McSpadden, North Carolina.
There are also Bill’s three daughters and their spouses, Elizabeth Lowry and Chris Narramore, Washington; Lynne Hamilton and Evan Fenton, Oklahoma; and Jana and Rick Haynes, Oklahoma.
Last, but not least, are her stepchildren from a previous marriage, Eva Emmell, Meredith Goldey, and James Brunt Jr., all of Pennsylvania
Sue leaves behind almost too many grandchildren to number: Claire and Grace Aucella; Liliana Kane and Cecilia Kane; Cameron and Mackenzie Shepherd; Isaiah and Matthew Stephenson; Molly, Piper and Finn McSpadden; Courtney and Jared Hamilton; Hannah and Hunter Narramore; and Madison, Cade and Abigail Pinski.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 2 at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Rd., Gilbertsville, PA 19525. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00, and the service will begin at 11:00, followed by a reception for all in attendance. There will be a private burial ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Hanover Lutheran Church General Fund, in memory of Susan Lowry, to be dedicated to the church’s music program.