I’ve had to cover two retirement parties in a row recently after Silver Slipper General Manager John Ferrucci, then Harbor Center General Manager Kathy Lowrey, both called it quits following years in the work world. Both were a part of our community for 20 years before deciding it was time for a new life.
When I brought The Slidell Independent back as a community paper here in 2009, Kathy was one of the first people I got to know, and since then, has become one of my favorite people, and certainly one of my best friends here.
And I think there would be a ton of others here who would say the same thing. Kathy is certainly one of the most likeable, personable individuals who has been among the leaders in our business community ever since the Harbor Center opened its doors in 2005.
Considering the fact the Harbor Center has been the site for dozens and dozens of major events during the 16 years The Independent has been in operation, she and I have said hello seemingly a million times. And the good news, she told me, is that she will not completely disappear from the local scene since she still plans to be involved with the East St. Tammany Business Alliance that she helped form, and the Krewe of Antheia that she has been a part of since it began three years ago.
One thing anyone would say about Kathy is that she is a smart cookie in many ways, and as Harbor Board Chairman Mark Myers stated at the retirement party, “the success of the Harbor Center is directly related to Kathy Lowrey.”
Kathy showed off some her “smarts” months ago when she was kicking around the idea of retirement. As someone who clearly likes to stay busy, she came up with a very neat idea of how to stay as busy as she wants when she isn’t coming to work full-time. She started a Facebook business called “Tiny Paws,” which sends out a monthly care package of goodies and toys to small dogs.
Inspired by her Yorkie, “Wheels,” she was researching some kind of online business to start that wasn’t going to be overshadowed by similar businesses. She said there are lots of businesses that cater to dogs in general, but nothing for little dogs. Her monthly “Tiny Paws Subscription Box” box that goes out is cool looking and full of fun things (see photo on this page.)
Kathy spent most of her professional life working in the hospitality industry before her husband Bruce saw an advertisement in 2004 that said the soon-to-open Harbor Center was looking for a general manager. Living in Covington, she loved the idea of not crossing the lake for work each day and became the first and only G.M. that has directed the place until now, with Victoria Paz stepping in as G.M. number two.
While she is excited for retirement, and will still be seen around, she admits that “I’ll miss all the people that have become my friends. All the friendships is why the job has been so special, not to mention the way the Harbor Center board, staff and the community supported what we have tried to do.”
I’m not surprised to see a lot of my friends moving on to retirement since I’m right there around that age and frequently get asked if I plan to retire.
For me, that is not in the plans anytime soon since I love heading the Slidell paper, especially with you folks, the local community, continually telling us how much you appreciate and love our publication.
But as Kathy said, the thing that made her job special is all the wonderful friends she was able to make. And like others, I’m sure I’ll miss Kathy being around at everything she was a part of.
She was a special gift to Slidell and a great supporter to make our community the best it can be.
Thanks Kathy, for the memories.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.