Joan Marie Bowers Rooks died peacefully on Thursday July 9, 2020 at the East Longmeadow Nursing Center, East Longmeadow Mass. Joan was 89 at the time of her death and had battled complications of heart failure.
Joan was born to Bernist and Simone Galipeau in Springfield MA. As a young woman she married Henry Bowers and raised a family, living for many years in Enfield CT and North Adams MA, where the couple owned and operated the Berkshire Tally Ho Restaurant.
For more than three decades Joan lived happily at the Meadow Brook Acres Retirement Community in Brimfield Mass. She had many friends within the community, located near the heart of the famous Brimfield Antique Festival, one of Joan's favorite places. An avid reader, cross-puzzler and antique lover, she loved singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.
A proud mother who always put family first, Joan also tackled jobs outside the home, ranging from bookkeeper to bartender
She is survived by her six children, Pat Okonis and husband Jim of Newington CT, Rick Bowers and wife Wynn of Silver Spring MD, Mike Bowers and wife Laura of Chugiak AK, Susan Sullivan and husband John of Charlotte NC, Cindy Fiore and husband Rick of Enfield CT and Stephen Bowers of Southbridge MA , eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren with a seventh on the way.
Joan was preceded in death by her brother John Galipeau and sister Carol Elmore, as well as her first husband, Henry C. Bowers and second husband Victor Rooks.
Arrangements will be handled by the family and held privately per Joan's request.