Tammy Blackwill, 59, Vero Beach
Tammy Blackwill (née Steffan) died on Nov. 19, 2020, within earshot of the ocean, her favorite place to be, after a breast cancer recurrence.
She is survived by her adult children April and Colby, mother Irene, brother Mark (Elisa), and her children’s father, Floyd.
She was born (November 26, 1960) and raised in southern California, and when her girlfriend suggested that 19-year-old Tammy take a break from her dive shop job for a Club Med vacation, it would lead to a 4-year odyssey as a Club Med watersports instructor in Mexico, Greece, Brazil, France, Tahiti, and the French West Indies. She subsequently graduated from UC Santa Barbara with degrees in French and Business Economics, was married, and began a career in project management.
After Tammy became a mother, a passion for sewing emerged, manifesting first in baby clothes and, eventually, Halloween costumes and matching family outfits. While the children were still young, the family relocated to Vero Beach, Florida, where Tammy was introduced to tennis. Her entrepreneurial mind took over and she launched Tropical Tennis, a successful line of women’s tennis apparel she designed and produced.
Her kids April and Colby were the love of her life. She traveled with her kids across the world showing them the importance of different cultures and languages. Her love of traveling will live on through her kids.
After her family, perhaps Tammy’s most enduring legacy will be Friends After Diagnosis, a Vero Beach-based non-profit organization serving women with cancer that she helped establish. Donations in her honor may be sent to Friends After Diagnosis at 3404 Aviation Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Holly Dee Lowther, 55, Vero Beach
Holly Dee Lowther, 55, of Vero Beach, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. Holly was born Dec. 7, 1964, in Ormond Beach, Fla., to parents, Joseph Daniel and Jacqueline Bebe Willis Lowther.
A 1999 graduate of Indian River Community College; Holly earned her Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and Management. She furthered her education obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Professional Administration in 2002, from Barry University.
For approximately 14 years Holly worked as an Inspector of nursing homes and healthcare facilities for the State of Florida with the Agency for Health Care Administration. She was passionate about helping the elderly and was a hard worker known for her thoroughness and organization.
Holly loved the river and ocean, traveling and spending time with family on many cruises, taking every kind of excursion: dolphin encounter, parasailing, learning to scuba dive and riding wave runners whenever possible. An avid animal and dog lover, Holly was especially fond of her much loved chihuahua’s, Pnut, Lulu and Luna.
Holly is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline Dee “Jackie” & Andy Vitek and her granddaughter, Lucy Jean Vitek, of Vero Beach, also, her constant companion, Luna; her mother-in-law, Judy Donohoe and Andy’s mother, Val Vitek; brothers and sister-in-laws, Joseph Daniel (Heather) Lowther, Gus (Tommie) Lowther, and Thomas S. (Beverly) Lowther, also all of Vero Beach. Holly always enjoyed spending time with her many nieces and nephews, and their families.
She was predeceased by both her parents; father-in-law, Don Donohoe; Andy’s father, Rich Vitek; and pups, Pnut and Lulu.
Holly touched the lives of many and will leave us with many wonderful shared memories!
At Holly’s request, a private family service will be held at Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach.
Jim Bove, 77, Vero Beach
Jim Bove, 77, of Vero Beach, died on Nov. 18, 2020. He was born James John Bove in Astoria, New York on January 11, 1943 to Donato (Daniel) J Bove and Mary Carella Bove.
Jim received his BA from Notre Dame 1964 and his JD from Albany Law School in 1968. He served in the United States Army stationed in Germany 1968-1970.
He then worked for Lybrand, Ross Brothers & Montgomery, New York City and Green, Murray & Dagher Law Firm in Sayville, New York until 1982. After a sabbatical in Spain, he was in commercial real estate development. In 1999 he relocated to Vero Beach, Florida.
Patsy & Jim became members of the Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club where they resided. He enjoyed playing golf there and travelled with his golf clubs playing in many countries. He loved to travel on cruise ships. Marbella, Spain was one of his favorite annual visits.
Throughout his life, he was a loving husband, son and brother, a kind and thoughtful friend, and a well-traveled gentleman.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Patricia (Patsy) Wellman and his sister, Diane Bove Blanco and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation located at 1000 37th Place, Vero Beach, FL.
Eileen Cowie, 73, Vero Beach
Eileen Cowie, 73, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2020 at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida in the presence of her husband, Rich, who held her hand as he had done each day over their 50 wonderful years of marriage.
Eileen was born in the Bronx, New York and was raised in South Ozone Park in Queens, New York, where she attended John Adams High School. She and Rich raised their children in Huntington, New York and in 2007 moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where they resided in the Vista Plantation community.
Eileen was a Pharmacy Manager and Entrepreneur, though she was proudest of her work as a loving and supportive wife and doting mother, which she often said was her greatest accomplishment.
Eileen was actively involved in the Vista Plantation community, serving on the Board of Directors and most recently as Chairperson of the Grounds Beautification Committee. She was an avid golfer who thoroughly enjoyed her retirement.
Eileen is best remembered for her beautiful smile, contagious laugh and big heart. She loved to travel and meet new people. She was generous with her time and affection, whether planning a celebratory luncheon, cooking (too much) for friends and family or spending any free time she had with friends. Her hugs will be missed most of all.
Eileen is survived by her husband, Rich, son James (and his wife Stephanie), daughter Heather (and her husband Brian), and her grandchildren Sean (15), Maggie (10) and Katie (8), whom she spoiled without regret, as is a Grandmother’s prerogative (as Eileen would often remark). She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and great-nephews, her sister-in-law and her family and friends too numerous to name but all of whom she cherished with all her heart.
Eileen’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Indian River Hospital critical care unit who took such wonderful care of Eileen during her last days, and who made it possible for Rich, James and Heather to say goodbye. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Eileen’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (http://giftfunds.stjude.org/EileenCowie).
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com and Eileen’s family welcomes you to share your memories, stories and pictures.