Mary Louise James

Slingerlands, NY - Mary Louise James, 89, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023. Mary, the daughter of the late Leslie and Louise Lowenberg, was born July 1,1933 in Utica, NY. She graduated from Manlius High School in 1951 as the salutatorian (out of a class of 29!) and then secretarial school. She worked for Syracuse University and belonged to the International Folk Dance Club where she met her future husband, Robert Evan James IV. Dance became a part of their lives for many of their 65 years together.

Mary worked a variety of jobs including bank teller and receptionist in Danbury, CT. However, her most favorite job of all was at Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks. For over 30 summers she rekindled friendships made in the 1960's as well as many new and lifelong friends. Over the years, she ran the mimeograph machine in the auditorium tower, assisted the accountant, worked at the concierge deck and her all-time favorite of all… The Store. She made crepes, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, counted newspapers, and chatted everybody up within a 50-foot radius! 12

Besides working and raising her 3 kids, she liked playing Mahjong and Cribbage and dabbled in crafts, Theorem painting, and sewing, all the while keeping an eye on her bird feeders. She also liked to travel; numerous camping trips, driving cross country twice, visiting every state and most Canadian provinces, several trips to Florida with her Silver Bay friends and visiting Scotland and Ireland with Bob.

Once she had grandchildren, they were "her babies"! She made great efforts to see them throughout infancy to college years and beyond. She invested in all her grandchildren's education.

Mary was also very involved with King Street Church in Danbury where she learned to play the hand bells and was good enough to be on the travel team! Mary participated in many other church activities from dinners to fellowship events. She handmade numerous felt characters and her locally famous French dressing for the church fairs.

Mary is survived by her children, Robert (Marina) James, Douglas (Rebeca) James, Diane (Thomas) Lemieur; grandchildren: Travis, Eric, Erika, Brendan, Sara and Maya. Her brother, Dick (Kathy) Lowenberg; nieces and nephews: Steven Buess, Amy Dyer, Karen Doody, Peter Lowenberg, Scott Lowenberg, Kurt Lowenberg, Kirsten Lowenberg and many loving friends.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Beth and brother, Karl.

A Celebration of Life Fellowship will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 followed by a service from 11:30 to 12:00 at Loudonville Presbyterian Church, 22 Old Niskayuna Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211, on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Mary L. James to: Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks, EMP Alumni Scholarship fund, 87 Silver Bay Road, Silver Bay, NY 12874.