Joanne (Hetrick) McGowan Taylor

Joanne McGowan Taylor, 79, of Portersville, passed away early Wednesday morning, July 7, 2021 at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Joanne was born in Butler on November 15, 1941.  She was the daughter of the late John E. and M. Josephine (Kelly) Hetrick.

She grew up and attended school in Chicora.  She was of the Catholic faith and had attended St. Christopher at the Lake Catholic Church in Prospect where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Ladies Guild. She worked at St. Johns Lutheran Home in Mars during the 70’s caring for the elderly then opened her home up as a Day Care throughout the 80’s.  Joanne had a huge heart and spent most of her life doing for others. She always made her home so warm and inviting, especially during the holidays, and all were welcome there. She was a fantastic cook and her home was always spotless.  She especially loved gatherings with family and friends and conversing for hours. She was very much a people person and all who met her instantly loved her. She loved children and was the most loving grandma and great grandma.  Throughout the years she was “Mom” to many.

 She is survived by seven children, Kim Brain of West Sunbury, Greg McGowan and his special friend, Geraldine Kratz, of Trempealeau, WI, Lisa McCluney and her husband, Dave, of Dover, DE, Kelley McGowan of Portersville, Richard McGowan of Harrisville, Teresa McGowan (Tom Sommers) of Portersville, and Bernard McGowan of Myrtle Beach, SC; four grandchildren, Kristopher Sarnese, Devin Brain, Taylor Fedrizzi, and Arden Webster; three great grandchildren, Chase Brain, Avacyn Fedrizzi, and Brooklyn Sarnese; her sister, Kay Riley of Chicora; two brothers, Charles “Chuck” Hetrick and his wife, Alice, of Chicora, and Terry Moore and his wife, Kathy, of Sebastian, FL; a brother-in-law, John Dollar of Butler; her former husband, Terry Taylor; her loving cat, “Booger”, as well as her step children, step grandchildren, and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal  grandparents,  James C. “Pop” and Alice (Jackson) Kelly, who lovingly helped raise her; her daughter, Richelle J.( McGowan) Fedrizzi; her grandson, Kody Sarnese; her brother, John E. “Jack” Hetrick; her sister, Lucy Dollar; a son-in-law, Roger Brain; her former husband and father of her children, Richard “Dick” McGowan, as well as two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.

Family and friends will be received at St. Christopher at the Lake Roman Catholic Church, 229 North Franklin St., Prospect, from 10 – 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 17. A funeral Mass will follow from the church at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Adam M. Verona, pastor of St. Faustina Parish, celebrant.  Interment will be with her daughter at Oak Grove Cemetery, Slippery Rock Twp., Lawrence County.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Faustina Parish, St. Christopher Ladies Guild, 342 Normal Ave., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 or Portersville Volunteer EMS, 1122 West Portersville Road, Portersville, PA 16051.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora.  Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

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