Joan Marilyn Bowers, 93, of Lowell, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 1, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 27, 1933, daughter of the late Richard and Anna (Place) Foley. She was predeceased by her loving husband, John J. (Jack) Bowers, Jr., Esq.
Joan was a lifetime resident of Lowell. At the age of 4, she joined the St. Rita’s Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and became the youngest twirling Drum Major in the United States. Joan was a graduate of Lowell High School. She was a communicant and volunteer at St. Margaret’s Church, a member and volunteer at the Middlesex Women’s Club and the Chelmsford Senior Center, and a supporter of the Highland Little League. She enjoyed socializing with the Red Hat Society. She loved hosting holiday gatherings, especially around St Patrick’s Day. And she instilled in her children the importance of family.
In addition to her husband, Jack Bowers, Joan was predeceased by her son, James M. Bowers, Esq., two brothers, Richard Foley and Paul Foley, and a sister, (Ann) Patricia Kiernan.
Joan is survived by four children and four daughters-in-law, John J. Bowers, III and his wife Sandra of Framingham, MA, Justin M. Bowers and his wife Margaret of Pawtucket, RI, MaryAnne (Bowers) Maines of Wellesley, MA, Mark A. Bowers, Esq. and his wife Beth of Westford, MA, and Rachel Hickey Bowers, Esq. of West Newbury, MA; her sister, Sheila McLaughlin of Windham, NH, 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 6, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell. Her funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, April 7, at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 374 Stevens Street, Lowell, MA. Internment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (dav.org).