Ann-Lisa Faith Måneskjöld Lower of Altoona, Pennsylvania, passed away at her residence on December 28, 2016, at the age of 96.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Commander William Brumbaugh Lower, who passed away April 6, 1997; and by her brother, Erik Olaf Måneskjöld, of Brooklyn, New York.

Surviving is her daughter, Lisa Måneskjöld Lower Blair (husband Barry N. Blair) of Mentor, Ohio, formerly from Altoona, Pennsylvania, step-daughter Martha E. Lower Mullis (husband Stephen Mullis) of Beaverton, Oregon, formerly from Altoona.

Ann-Lisa was the daughter of the late Magda Måneskjöld, of Bohuslan, Sweden, and Erling Haugland, of Bergen, Norway. She was born November 20, 1920 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She graduated in 1938 from the Bay Ridge Brooklyn High School with honors. In 1940 she began her 25 year career, at the Home Insurance Company, New York City, eventually retiring as a supervisor. During that period she was active in art, poetry, writing and participated in many theatrical and musical productions at the Barbizon Plaza Theater, on Broadway, and at the Waldorf Astoria and The Astor Place Theaters. She was also a pupil of the former opera singer Samuel Ljungqvist. Ann-Lisa spent many decades enjoying the summers, by the ocean, at the family cottage in Wildwood, New Jersey.

She married Lt. Cmdr. William Lower on June 20, 1964, at Governor’s Island, New York. In 1965, she and William moved to Altoona. On January, 1966, at the age of 45, she gave birth to her daughter, Lisa. Ann-Lisa was active in various Lutheran Churches in the Altoona area, and was a member of the Eastern Star 290, the Woman’s Club of Altoona, a founding member of the Blair County Genealogical Society, and a member of the Red Hat Society (Happy Hatters of Altoona).

Ann-Lisa was a loving and devoted wife and mother, an accomplished singer, actress, artist, writer, editor, poet, genealogist and was also fluent in Swedish. Ann-Lisa had a faith in God and Jesus that never wavered. She led her life positively, dignifiedly and altruistically with her head held high, while always pressing forward.

Ann-Lisa’s request, which was granted, was to never leave Altoona and to depart from this Earth, within her beloved apartment. God bless her caregivers and friends who stayed devoted.

 This obituary will end with a poem which Ann-Lisa wrote in the 1940’s, titled “If Life But Could”

Oh, life, if thou but could instill.

In foolish minds the strength of will;

That weakened backs may yet grow strong.

And goodly thoughts overpower the wrong.

If only thou could give the sight.

That eyes so blind may see the light;

And hearken to thine voice, oh life.

That they may rid the world of strife.

If only thou could teach men love.

To sheathe the sword, and show the dove;

Then could this world in peace reside.

With brothers working side by side.