Jerolyn Ruth Mensch Lowry

Jerolyn Ruth Fremd Mensch Lowry passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026 in Atlanta, GA from cancer. She was 81. She was born in Warren, Ohio, to Jonathan Eli Fremd and Jeanne Nethercut Fremd and grew up on the grounds of Lake Forest Academy, where her father was an English teacher and dean of students, and her mother was the school nurse.
Jerolyn married Robert D. Mensch in 1960 and had two sons, Bob and Dan. In 1971 the family moved to Atlanta, where Jerolyn would live the rest of her life. There she became energetically involved in her son’s Little League baseball activities, from working with the concessions to becoming the first woman umpire at Murphy Candler Park. Following her divorce in 1973, she and her sons became involved in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta.
After being awarded a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree from Georgia State University in 1977, Jerolyn worked at West Paces Ferry Hospital. She later took a position at the American Red Cross, where she became the supervisor in the routine blood processing center.
In 1975 Jerolyn met Paul Lowry, who was to become her second husband, at Georgia State. They married in 1980, with her two sons walking their mother down the aisle in the ceremony. As her husband’s IT consulting business grew, Jerolyn became the office manager, and worked with IT companies until she retired.
Jerolyn and her husband enjoyed entertaining, for many years hosting various social groups from UUCA as well as an annual Christmas Eve tree trimming party where family, friends, and neighbors were warmly welcomed. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and they took many trips throughout the U.S. and abroad. Every May they would take a one to two week anniversary vacation to renew their commitment to each other.
She became involved in many service activities at church, most noticeably in areas involving fellowship and building community. She was the coordinator of her churches Wednesday night suppers for many years and organized many receptions.
When Jerolyn wasn’t busy volunteering or working, she gardened, and especially loved irises. Reading and doing word and jigsaw puzzles was an every-day activity. She became known for knitting, especially elaborate Afghans, which family and friends treasured.
To know Jerolyn was to know kindness. She possessed an effortless ability to make people feel cared for, welcomed, and deeply loved. She gave freely of herself, her time, her attention, and her heart, never seeking recognition, only hoping to ease burdens and bring comfort to others. Jerolyn will be remembered for the way people felt around her. She had a gift for welcoming others, listening deeply, encouraging generosity of spirit, and loving unconditionally. Her family and friends will forever cherish her warmth, loving demeanor, and wisdom.
Jerolyn is survived by her devoted husband, Paul G. Lowry, her sons, Robert D. Mensch (Annette) of Tierra Verde, FL, and J. Daniel Mensch (Ulrika) of Sigtuna, Sweden, and brother Jonathan Fremd of Winchester, VA. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Jonathan Mensch, McKena D’Anca (Alex D’Anca), Jacob Turner, and Johanna Mensch, her great-granddaughter Jace Elise D’Anca. She is also survived by niece Mandy Fremd.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the UU Endowment Fund of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta or the International Rescue Committee.