Joanne Bowman (1942-2024)

Joanne (McNamara) Bowman, 81, of Hershey, passed away at home on January 31, 2024, surrounded by her family. Joanne was born in Wiconisco on April 14, 1942 and grew up in Williamstown, where she met the love of her life, Tom. This past November they celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Joanne is survived by her husband Tom Bowman; sons Tom Jr. (Kathleen) and David (Julie); four grandchildren, Kyle, Sean (Kaitlyn), Nick, and Brianna; and siblings Fran Pazur, Dennis (Mary Lynn) McNamara, and Vincent (Kathleen) McNamara as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Vincent T. McNamara and Frances I. McNamara.

Joanne loved her family more than anything and the time spent with them was always prized above all else. Anyone lucky enough to know her as family or friend knows what a wonderful person Joanne was and how she could make conversation with anyone. She had a great sense of humor and could light up a room with her personality, smile and hearty laugh.

She was a member of St. Joan of Arc Church and enjoyed reading, traveling with family and friends, and country music. When it came to sports, football was her favorite….whether it was as a young woman watching Tom play at Western Maryland College or fiercely cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She treasured her Irish heritage, and her favorite trips were the ones she and Tom took to Ireland.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 5th, from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. in the Hoover Funeral Home, 88 Lucy Ave, Hershey; followed by Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:30 A.M. in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 West Areba Ave., Hershey.

Private interment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions be made to Penn State Health University Development Office; P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852; memo line: Joanne Bowman/Cancer Infusion Center.