Leah Lowery

Leah Jacobsen Lowery spent her entire life making the world a more beautiful place. An award-winning floral designer, Leah was raised in San Francisco where her father owned a butcher shop, and she graduated from San Francisco’s Balboa High School in 1962. 

Born Leah Petropolis on January 14, 1945, to George & Elmy Petropolis, Leah was the youngest of two daughters.

Leah always was a creative spirit and pursued an education in retail floristry from San Francisco City College, eventually earning the coveted accreditation by the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).  Leah owned San Francisco’s Magic Moments flower shop until 1988.  Years later, she would return to San Francisco City College to teach floral design to up-and-coming designers. 

Leah met her first husband, Clifford, when she was 12 years old.  They married when she was 19 and made their home in Pacifica while raising their children, Kirsten & Jason (Tasha).  They were married for 23 years.  Leah was most proud of her children, who followed in her footsteps to become accomplished and creative floral designers, often helping her create weddings and special events that touched many people’s lives.  

In 1989, Leah moved to the town of Sonoma where she worked as the manager of Taylor’s Florist before starting her own company, Flaxx Floral Design. It was here that she went on to create trendsetting weddings and events, transforming people’s visions into the spectacular.  

It was while at dinner that she met her Darlin’ Will Lowery (Willie P).  Leah was always a spitfire. A perfect example is when she met Will at Cattlemen’s in 1989 and he asked for her phone number.  Leah gave it to him but told him, “If you don’t call me tomorrow, then don’t call me at all.” He called the next day and they were forever loves for the rest of their lives.  Through Will, Leah gained two daughters in his children Melissa & Stephanie (Mike).

Will and Leah hosted many fun parties at their home and on their deck.  Always welcoming, there was lots of music, food and love.  Leah paid tribute to Will after his passing by starting the Willie P Golf Tournament which benefits Sonoma Meals on Wheels.

Leah had wonderful relationships with wedding vendors that transcended work.  She was surrounded by dedicated designers and event day staff such as Christy, Dianna, Patty, Tasha, and Sandy.  She worked for more than 19 years side by side with Sasha Souza Events as Sasha & Mellysa’s exclusive floral designer, and her creative vision drove the designs of hundreds of weddings and events and was published in several books and won many awards.

Leah loved her family and is survived by children Kirsten Peters, Jason Jacobsen (Tasha), Stephanie Shaw (Mike), grandchildren Jared, Amanda, Justin & Zachary, her sister Dixie Rogovoy and family, cousins Andrea Bell (Bill) and Stan Pappas, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Leah will be missed by many, especially “The Girls”.

Leah is preceded in death by her darlin’ Willie P, her mother Elmy, her father George, grandparents William & Zoe Petropolis and Nettie & Peter Conroy, her first husband, Clifford, and step-daughter Melissa Lowery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Sonoma Meals on Wheels and the American Cancer Society. 

Leah’s celebration of life will be at Duggan’s Mission Chapel on April 27 at 11 a.m., with a party, as she requested, at Swiss Hotel from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leah Lowery, please visit our floral store.