JoAnne Lower

JoAnne Lower, 65, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family. 

JoAnne was born February 10, 1959 in New Castle, PA, a daughter of Walter and Bernice (Biedka) Gargasz.

Raised in New Castle, she was a 1977 graduate of Union Area High School and received her Registered Nurse degree from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. JoAnne began her nursing career with St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown Campus, in the Gynecology Department, before moving to Labor & Delivery. Upon the opening of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Boardman Campus, JoAnne continued to work in Labor & Delivery and she transferred to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Department in 2021. Throughout JoAnne's 42-year nursing career, it is estimated that she delivered more than 10,000 bundles of joy.

While on spring break in Florida, JoAnne met David W. Lower, and they were married on May 22, 1982. Making their home in Boardman, they were blessed with a daughter and son, and later welcomed the addition of their daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Nothing has brought JoAnne more joy these past three years than being a grandma and her title of "JoJo."  

JoAnne was raised in Madonna Church in New Castle and was most recently a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman. 

JoAnne and David looked forward to planting a garden each year and sharing their vegetables with family and friends. JoAnne enjoyed cooking what they grew, making salsas, hot peppers, tomato sauce, and pesto. She loved hosting the holidays and ensured they were made special with her beautiful decorations, delicious food, and of course her famous lady locks. Some of JoAnne's other favorite pastimes included watching her kids play sports while they were growing up and weekly visits to the library to find her latest reads. Very creative and crafty, JoAnne enjoyed scrap booking, making wreaths and ornaments, and knitting. Much of her time knitting was spent making bereavement outfits for babies that passed away and donating them to the Touched By Nathan Foundation and Heal Program.  

JoAnne will be lovingly remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her happy disposition, strength, and positive outlook was admired by many and will certainly be missed.  

JoAnne leaves to carry on her memory, her husband of nearly 42 years, David; children, Kristen Lower of New York City and Michael (Amelia) Lower of Poland; grandchildren, Emerson and Anna Lower; and siblings, Dianne Beach of New Castle, PA, Elaine Moffatt of Murrells Inlet, SC, and Greg (Debe) Gargasz of New Castle, PA.

In addition to her parents, JoAnne was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Lowry "Larry" Beach. She also joins her two furry friends, Mercedes and Cody, who gave her much comfort and companionship through the years. 

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 3 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St., Boardman, where a memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. 

The family would like to extend their appreciation and thank the doctors and nurses at Mercy Health for their wonderful care and support through JoAnne's courageous fight against cancer. 

Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in JoAnne's name to the Touched By Nathan Foundation, 125 W. McKinley Way, PO Box 14436, Poland, OH 44514.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with JoAnne's family.