Obituary of Joyce F. Bowdler

 Joyce Carol (Findlay) Bowdler, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep and joined the Lord, Wednesday January16. She was in the company of family at her daughter’s home.

   Joyce was born July 2nd 1932, in Ashtabula Ohio. The first daughter of Charles and Bessie (Rennick) Findlay, the family, with her sister Jane, lived on west 39th St in Ashtabula before tragically losing their father Charles Findlay in the Armistice Day storm of 1940 on Lake Michigan. Through tough times, Bessie taught her young girls to embrace life and serve others.

A class of "50" graduate of AHS, Joyce went on to attend Ohio University, and later Kent State.

Joyce played drums in the AHS band and began a lifelong love of music and theater; performing, choreographing, and singing in many Green Door Follies and local theater performances. She was a lifetime member of Christian Children’s League (CCL) and an avid bridge player. And by the way, if you never tasted mom’s cooking, you’ve missed out! Her passion for history evolved into a library of interesting books she enjoyed sharing. Joyce was well known for her quick wit, hardy laugh and amazing smile.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her former husband, Charles (Chuck) A Bowdler. Joyce is survived by Sister Jane (Marv) Dietrich, her four children, Charles F (Angie) Bowdler; Julie (Ron) Lattimer, Janis (Jim Firth) Rosskamm, and John (Gigi) Bowdler. Five grandchildren, Janis (Joseph) Bowdler-Perez, Paul (Christi) Kupfer, Charles G Bowdler, Jeremy (Clair) Lattimer, and Peter Rosskamm; four great grandchildren: Paul, Ella & Logan Kupfer, and Siena Bowdler-Perez and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Life Celebration on Saturday, January 26^th from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Ashtabula First Baptist Church on Park Avenue (next to the Library). There will be no calling hours per Joyce’s request. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Ashtabula Maritime Museum or First Baptist Church.

Ducro Services assisted the family.   Please leave condolences at www.ducro.com

A special thanks to Bella Care Hospice for their tender and loving care of mother.