Mary Virginia Dettor Lowdermilk, 89, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 27,  at Friendship Village in Tempe, AZ.

Born on February 19, 1928, in Winston Salem, NC, Mary was the daughter of Ormal Ray “Billy” Dettor and David Cummings Dettor. She graduated from Guilford College with a B.A. in psychology in 1948 and worked as a teacher in Greensboro for several years. In 1955, Mary married Max K. Lowdermilk, and together they moved to Pakistan, where they worked for 15 years, first in education and then in agricultural development, for the United Methodist Church.

Mary and Max then spent many years in New Delhi, India, and Cairo, Egypt, working in the field of irrigation and water management with the U.S. Agency for International Development and Colorado State University before returning to the States.

During her life, Mary traveled extensively and spent more than 30 years living overseas. Mary embraced the opportunities and challenges of living abroad, always willing to engage with and learn from different cultures. Mary was an inspirational teacher, and worked at the American School in Lahore, Pakistan, conducted teacher training in New Delhi, India, and taught English as a second language to foreign students at Colorado State University.

Warmth and generosity of spirit were hallmarks of Mary’s life. In every place she lived, Mary welcomed others into her life and home and touched people with her gentle spirit, intellect, and enthusiasm for life.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Max Lowdermilk, and three children Mark, Melanee and Michael.