Lowell IIsley Fortes

Lowell Ilsley Fortes, age 75 of Fort Mill, SC passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 after courageously battling kidney disease and heart issues.Lowell was born on February 25, 1948 to Patricia Goodwin Ilsley and Col. Warren Ilsley in East Derry, NH. During her youth she grew up in Wellesley, MA and was called "Beets" by her family and friends. The family home had a bowling alley in the basement which lead to a love of the sport that she would play throughout her life.After Lowell graduated Natick High School in 1966, she went to work full-time for Zayre’s in their distribution center. Due to her drive and extensive knowledge, she was promoted continuously until she became the Operations Manager of the 1.2 million square foot distribution center. This work ethic put her on a trajectory which allowed her to provide an amazing life for her 3 children. As a single mother, she instilled this work ethic in all of her children. She worked for over 40 years in the retail industry. She was able to retire from retail management from Liz Claiborne in 2008 and finally settled permanently in Fort Mill, SC.She was an exceptional role model not just to her family, but also to all that came in contact with her and she was lovingly known throughout her community as ‘mama’.Lowell was an avid card player and enjoyed swimming, diving, puzzles and spending summers in North Conway, NH and Ogunquit, ME. Lowell played in the Norton Women’s Softball League. She never lost her love of bowling from her childhood and continued to play in leagues and was proud to have on more than one occasion bowled a perfect game of 300. Her favorite pastime in retirement was watching or discussing the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics with her sons and grandsons.She is proceeded in death by her sisters, Goodwin (Goodie) Campbell, Constance (Connie) Haldane, Julian (Julie) Biedugnis and her brother Herrick Ilsley. She is survived by her 3 children, Christina Goodwin (Fortes) Yost wife of Charles R. Yost, III of Valrico, FL, Anthony Charles Fortes of Fort Mill , SC, and Jonathan Michael Fortes husband of Amy Katherine (Kumpf) Fortes of Fort Mill, SC. She is also survived by 2 brothers, Phillip Ilsley and Richard Ilsley. She is lastly survived by 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.Though she loved her career and all the activities she did throughout her life and was loved by all - she was thankful to get to watch her grandchildren Amanda Hetrick, wife of Kenton Hetrick, of Brookline, MA, Leigha Fabrisi, wife of Stephen Fabrisi, of Portland, ME, Joshua Yost, of Delaware, OH, Alaina Yost, wife of Zach Yost, of Tampa, FL, Brennan Fortes, Dylan Fortes and Olive Fortes all of Fort Mill, SC grow up.The world was a better place because she was a part of it and all our lives are better for having had the privilege to have known her, loved her and to call her their daughter, sister, friend, Nana and MOM.She will be forever loved.In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The American Lighthouse Foundation https://lighthousefoundation.orgRead Obituary