Joan Conway McGowan, affectionately known to many as Granny Joan, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, after a short illness. She was 91. At the time of her passing, Joan divided her time between Cold Spring Harbor, New York, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Born in 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, Joan was the daughter of James and Eva Conway and one of six children. She grew up in Valley Stream and graduated from Dominican Commercial High School in 1952. Following high school, she attended secretarial school and worked for Oppenheimer & Co. in downtown Manhattan.

In September 1960, Joan married John “Jack” McGowan. Together they settled in Dix Hills, New York, where they raised their three children, Paul, Elizabeth, and Steven. Joan devoted herself to her family and later returned to work at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. Upon her retirement, she volunteered for many years with the Friends of the Seminary.

After Jack’s passing in 2000, Joan embraced life fully—traveling to destinations including China, Alaska, Banff, Greece, Italy, France, and Ireland; enjoying time at the beach on Fire Island and in Fort Lauderdale; and, most of all, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Known for her sharp sense of humor, social spirit, love of sweets, and signature raised eyebrow, Joan left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She never missed celebrating her birthday with family dinners each December 26th.

Joan was predeceased by her husband John McGowan; her siblings Neil Conway, Barbara Olsen, and Nancy Rybacki, her sister-in-law Ann Marie McGowan; and her daughter-in-law Dina McGowan. She is survived by her siblings Janet Weiss and Ellin Mullins; her sister-in-laws Pearl Conway and Alice McGowan; her children Paul (Laura), Elizabeth (James), and Steven; her cherished grandchildren Brendan, Megan (Simon), Sean (Kelly), Jack, Tim, Tyler (Christie), Natalie, and Annie; and her great grandson George.