Joan Rosalie (Willnecker) Lowe November 3, 1926 – January 11, 2022

Joan Rosalie “Mum-Mum” Lowe, 95, Altoona, passed away Tuesday, peacefully at Graystone Manor at Bellmeade. She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late William Godfrey and Mary Elizabeth (Love) Willnecker. She married Gerard David Lowe November 29, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Altoona. He preceded her in death on May 12, 2020. She is survived by five children: Kathleen Ann Gerwert, Joanne Elaine (William F.) DeFrancesco, and Claudine Renee Ellick of Altoona, Donna Marie (Anthony J.) McFarr of Merritt Island, FL, and Gerard James (Trisha L.) Lowe of Utahville; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Gerard; sisters Patricia Ann Lowe formerly of Chambersburg and Clara Louise Graupensperger formerly of Lancaster; son-in-law James B. Gerwert; and great-grandson, David James “DJ” Gerwert. Joan grew up on “Dutch Hill” and lived a half a block away from Prospect Pool on Second Avenue. She graduated from Altoona Catholic High in 1944 and took a position as a Secretary at the Cal Griffith Agency which was a prominent area law firm at the time. She had been dating a childhood friend and neighbor for some time and vowed to await his return from Europe where he was serving in the Army during World War II. Within a few years of his return, she and Gerard were married and set up house in the same area where she’d grown up. She worked for only a short time after their marriage and with the birth of daughters two and three, decided to become a full-time homemaker. Joan enjoyed bowling throughout her life and was on many teams and a fixture at the Unter Uns German Club in Altoona. She also enjoyed reading and shared countless romance novels with her sisters and friends. Later in life she got the travel bug, and she and Gerard traveled to Hawaii, and many times to Florida where they eventually bought a winter home and became “snow-birds”. When travel became too difficult, she adopted more sedentary pastimes like watching drama and comedy series on TV and working puzzles. In recent years her favorite show was about the veterinarian Dr. Pol. Joan absolutely loved the Christmas holiday and there were few that could out-do her when it came to decorating. Every year, her home on Grant Avenue and then on Dixie Lane in Greenwood, was transformed into something that resembled Santa’s workshop from the North Pole! Throughout all this time, Joan was the family’s strong matriarch. She was a problem solver, an advice-giver, a shoulder to cry on. She was tough when she needed to be tough, and tender when it was called for. She was revered, sometimes feared, but most of all loved by all. A proud American, devout life-long Catholic and loving wife and mother, she will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Friends will be received from 2-6 pm, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 at The Stevens Mortuary, Inc., 1421 8th Ave., Altoona, Pa. 16602. A funeral service will immediately follow at 6 pm in the Stevens Memorial Chapel by Pastor John Leatherman. Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.