Kristen Lowney
Mystic — Kristen Elizabeth Lowney, 50, of Mystic passed away Jan. 9, 2021, at the Branford Connecticut Hospice. Born in North Kansas City, Mo., she was the daughter to the late John C. Hedlund and Sandra R. The family lived in Liberty, Mo., for eight years before moving to Rhode Island. She graduated from Barrington High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Minnesota in 1992.
Kristen was utterly devoted to her family and “the love of her life,” her husband of 26 years, John H. Lowney. Her children were truly the center of her life. She loved spending time with them, whether on vacation in Cape Cod and Hershey, Pa., or just simple quiet hours at home. Cooking brought great joy to her life, and to everyone fortunate enough to pull up a chair at the kitchen table and dig in. There were plenty of favorite dishes we all savored, and there is no doubt her signature pancakes will be missed by all. The joy she felt with her cooking was because of the joy she created for the people around her.
This was also true of her love of her music and her skills as an accomplished pianist. Just like her cooking, her music brought people together in joy and love. She volunteered at her local church St. Andrews Presbyterian Church both playing and teaching, sharing her gift with the entire community.
Teaching was her passion! Kristen taught in North Kingston, R.I., Vernon and Mystic, where she had lived since 2000. Being a teacher was not enough. She felt a calling to help those who needed it most, special needs children, and so earned her special education certificate while working in the Groton school district. Most recently Kristen taught Special Education for four years at Gallup Hill School in Ledyard. She was loved by her students and colleagues alike.
Kristen is survived by her husband, John; their three children, James, Alyson and Rebecca; her mother, Sandra Hedlund; and a brother, Gregory Hedlund. She will be missed by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, students, colleagues and friends who are all saddened by her loss. She knows she is not walking alone now. Her faith was always strong. As she continues her journey, as she used to say, “Jesus is by my side,” and so too is all the love of all the people she loved so much. Godspeed, dear Kristen.
Funeral services and burial for Kristen will be private. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.