Joan Mary Mcgowan

Joan Mary McGowan (nee Wenz), age 87 of North Bend, passed peacefully on January 7, 2023 at her home. Born November 12, 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she is the second daughter of Cecilia (nee Orth) and Emil Wenz.


After graduating from Seton High School in 1954, she became an IBM worker (typist) as it was called at the time. At the age of 20 she was engaged to Ronald McGowan, the older brother of her good friend Carol. They were married June 2, 1956 at St. Teresa of Avila Church and had three children. She became a certified Cosmetologist in Ohio and worked as a beautician for many years. In 1990 she began Home Health Aide Work at Angels Touch doing in-home companion care, continuing to maintain her credentials into the 2000s.


Joan loved animals and had many pets over the years. She enjoyed playing cards, working puzzles, and playing games. She also enjoyed bouncing babies on her knee, building card houses and blanket forts with her grandchildren and watching her great-grandchildren play. Her life was her family.


Later in life she enjoyed traveling with her companion Robert “Bob” Jaspers. They took trips to Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Niagara Falls, an Alaskan cruise and more. They spent many evenings playing cards and many days on leisurely drives.


She is survived by sister Lois Groh, her children Linda McGowan of Oxford, Ohio, Glenn (Darlene) McGowan of North Bend, Larry (Kimberly) McGowan of Cincinnati; grandchildren Ammy Burke, Sharlena (Matthew) Hountz, Michael (Julie) McGowan, Laura (Adam) Niemeyer, Christopher (Holly) McGowan, and Anna (Matthew) Boylson; great-grandchildren Joshua (Tiffany Blackwell) Burke, Austen Burke, Alisha Bea, Brett Burke, Christopher Madden, Joseph Madden, William Hountz, Keegan Hountz, Adeleda Hountz, Eleanor Hountz, Vivienne Neimeyer, and Evelyn McGowan; great-great-grandchildren Kylie Burke, Lilly Burke, Joshua Burke Jr., Spencer Burke, Alex Burke, Bentley Burke, and Jack Burke.


Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her companion Robert Jaspers and many, many beloved pets.


Friends and family are invited to the visitation Thursday, January 19th, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Dennis George Funeral Home, 44 South Miami Avenue, Cleves, Ohio 45002. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 20th at 10 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila, 1175 Overlook Avenue, 45238 followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, 3819 West 8th St. 45205.


Donations may be made to Save The Animals Foundation, 4011 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 www.staf.org .