IN MEMORIAM

Deborah Ann Lowe

May 23, 1964 - December 16, 2021

Deborah Ann Lowe passed away November 15 after a brave battle with cancer. She was 61 years old. Deborah joined the GSL staff in 1989, working steadily at the Preschool until her cancer diagnosis and leave of absence in 2020. After two years of medical leave, she was excited to return to the classroom this year as an assistant teacher in the Playful Peacocks room. Our hearts are heavy that her time here with us this year was so short. In addition to her invaluable contributions as a member of our faculty community, Deborah was also a GSL parent (Ashley Lowe '11) and GSL grandparent (Destiny Lowe '20 and Zoe Tate '26). She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Keith Lowe, and their other children and grandchildren.

Deborah loved working at Grace-St. Luke’s School where she educated multiple generations over 30 years and had immense skill in engaging both parents and students. She took pride in sharing the importance of dedication, service, and love. Facebook gave her a way to maintain contact with many of her GSL friends, and she loved being able to see former students mature into wonderful adults.

At the start of this school year, she sat down with new Head of School Andy Surber who was visiting with every faculty member to get to know them better. It will be no surprise to her friends that when asked to identify something she really loved, she said the Pittsburgh Steelers. When asked what restaurant in Memphis she liked the most, she said she loved her husband Keith’s cooking the best.

It’s a testament to her resilience and hopefulness that she was determined to start this school year back in the classroom. She was able to be at Miss Lee’s for several months, and even made it to the gym this fall to watch her daughter Ashley help coach GSL’s 5/6 varsity volleyball team. Our social media feeds and inboxes were flooded with condolences after her passing. We share some of these sentiments with you here. Deborah was a beloved teacher who will be dearly missed.

Memories of Mrs. Deborah

Stephen had her when he was a Mudpuppy. She was a wonderful teacher and a part of what made Miss Lee’s a special place. - Allison Cates, GSL Alumni Parent and Past Board President

Deborah brought love and joy to all she did, and I’ll be forever grateful to have known her. - Chapman Morrow, GSL Alumni Parent and Past Board President

Mrs. Deborah was the first friendly face to welcome my little Gus to Preschool Bootcamp. I will never forget how special she made him feel. She will be dearly missed. - Lee Schaffler, GSL Middle School Art Teacher and Alumni Parent

What I would give to give her one more hug! She was truly a saint here on earth. We will miss her so much.

- Collin Buckner, GSL Parent and Former Teacher

Just heartbroken. One of the sweetest humans I’ve ever encountered. That smile. That laugh. Pure warmth. A true light is gone indeed. - Audra Eickhoff, GSL Former Teacher

We loved Mrs. Deborah and I am forever grateful to her and Mrs. Lucy for showing such love and care to my little Mudpuppy. - Beth Robinson-Price, GSL Alumni Parent

She was a gem of a person - kind, generous, empathetic, creative. What a loss.

- Robyn Whipple Diaz, GSL Alumni Parent

My daughter is 21 now, and the lessons she learned and the love she received from Ms. Deborah continues to this day. So much of the good in her has come from her teachers, and Deborah was one of the best.

- Brooke Sanders, GSL Alumni Parent

Deborah truly embodied the GSL spirit. She was so welcoming to us as a new GSL family in 2007, and as a fellow Middle School parent. Sending love and prayers to the Lowe family. - Jody Tennyson, GSL Alumni Parent

Deborah always led with her heart. That's just one of the many reasons children immediately adored her. We grown-ups when with her were warmed and moved by how deeply genuine she was. A rare gift. That she will be missed is an understatement. - Father John Merchant, GSL Head of School, 1990-98

Loved Mrs. Deborah with our whole hearts! She not only nurtured our kiddos…she always made us feel special too! - Baylor Stovall, GSL Alumni Parent

She made such a difference at the preschool. There was no one better with 3-year-olds and no one more loyal to GSL.

- Liz Awsumb, GSL Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Left: A gathering of pre-kindergarten colleagues at the Preschool last August: Deborah Lowe, Head of Preschool Cynthia Hill, Blair Connor, and Victoria Blackwell.