Joanne E. Bowers

Joanne Bowers of Aldan, PA entered into her Eternal Life during the early morning hours on September 19th.

Joanne was the second daughter born to John and Helen (nee Logue) Bowers on August 7, 1941.  She is survived by her sisters, Gerry Bowers of Aldan and Susanne Bowers Collins (Joseph) of Exton.  She is also survived by her loving nieces and nephews, their spouses, and twelve great nieces and nephews.

Joanne was educated in the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Catholic School System.  She graduated from Gwynedd-Mercy Junior College with an Associate Degree in Secretarial Studies in 1962.  Upon graduation, Joanne gave a year of mission service through the Sisters of Mercy teaching on a Native American Reservation in New Mexico.  When she returned to Pennsylvania, Joanne worked for Boeing Vertol for six years.  She decided to return to school, earning a degree in Business Education from Gwynedd Mercy College.  Joanne worked for the Upper Darby School District for 14 years.  While teaching, she earned her Masters Degree in Counseling from Villanova University.  In the mid 1980’s, Joanne felt drawn to the Helping Professions, so she enrolled as a full-time student at Bryn Mawr College seeking her Masters Degree in Social Services.  She loved the learning environment at the College. 

With her teaching experience and now her Social Work Degree, Joanne joined the Faculty at Delaware County Community College in its Career Center.  Here she found her passion for helping others; guiding young students in their courses of study or helping adult learners work towards earning their first degree.  Joanne’s innate gifts of listening, wisdom, empathy and discernment along with her professional training as a social worker enabled her to help students become aware of their own giftedness and potential and work towards learning new skills and behaviors that would help them in their academic and personal lives.  She had such a heart for her students especially those in need.

She developed herself through various academic and personal development workshops.  Joanne’s spirituality was a deep and quiet one developed through her time spent in prayer and attending silent retreats in the Ignatian spirituality and her regular participation in parish life  

Joanne was a well-respected educator and counselor.  She was also a loving sister and aunt to her family…….generous in heart and generous in meeting any needs she noticed within the family.  Her creative skills came through baking in her early years and in decorating her home in later life.  Within the family, she was known for how beautifully wrapped each person’s Christmas gift was……hours spent in selecting gifts and then wrapping each one with perfection. Her nieces and nephews knew her loyalty and dependability and that she loved them wholeheartedly. 

Her friendships were deep and loyal…….Joanne was a true introvert and valued that part of herself.  When you were with her, she was present only to you and you knew how valued you were to her.  She listened to the hearts of others……what was said and what was not said and offered her understanding and acceptance. 

Her journey this past year was a difficult one; one that she met with courage and such grace.  We have been blessed by her example of acceptance and peace and inner strength in trying times.  She was a woman of faith and family and goodness…….a much loved daughter of God.  She taught us how to live life and how to die……..in peace, in love, in strength, and in grace.  We will miss her. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass, Thursday Evening at 6:30 PM at Ss. Philip & James Church, 107 N. Ship Rd (corner of Rte 30 and Ship Rd), Exton, PA 19341 where friends may call 4:00 to 6:15 PM.  Graveside service will be held at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery at 12:00 Noon on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, family prefers contributions be made to the Delaware County Community College Educational Foundation, 901 S. Media Line Rd, Media, PA  19063. 

https://www.dccc.edu/educational-foundation-gift