Mary Skill Mowry

Mary Skill Mowry (92) passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2009, surrounded by family. She was born in White Salmon, Washington in 1916. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Molly Skill; three brothers, Wes, Don and Bob Skill; by her husband Art Mowry; and by her son, Stephen Mowry. She grew up in Washington State and moved to Aiken, SC with her husband Art Mowry in the early 50s. The Mowrys along with neighbors Bob and Amy Lance and other friends developed Whitney Drive as a small, close-knit neighborhood. Mary and Art opened their blueberry farm near Couchton, SC in the 70s. Every summer, for over thirty years, countless Aiken area residents enjoyed picking, eating and cooking those berries, often using Mary's very berry blueberry pie recipe. The Mowrys traveled extensively to Europe, Australia, and North America. Mary gave generously of her time to volunteer for a number of Aiken organizations including the First Presbyterian Church and the Meals on Wheels Program. She lived in Aiken for over 50 years and moved to Decatur, GA 2 years ago to be close to her daughter, Marianne Mowry Gardner and her son-in-law, Larry Gardner. Other survivors in the family include two granddaughters, Laura and Whitney Gardner and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Memory of Mary Skill Mowry to Aiken Area Council/Meals on Wheels Program, 159 Morgan Street, Aiken, SC 29801. Services for Mary Mowry will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 224 Barnwell Ave NW, in Aiken, SC at 4 pm on January 31. A. S. Turner & Sons