Obituary of Dr. Joan McGowan
Dr. Joan McGowan, age 69, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on August 27, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey, she was the daughter of James and Carmella Noste. She was raised in Mountainside, New Jersey, and has been a resident of Bridgewater for the past 36 years. Joan graduated from Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Sociology from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. Later in life, she returned to school and earned her Doctor of Education degree from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida.
Joan began her professional career as the owner and operator of an electrolysis business in Union, New Jersey. In 1999, she joined the faculty at Union County College (now Union College of Union County, New Jersey), where she helped launch the college’s electrology program and began what would become a distinguished career in higher education. Over the course of more than 25 years, she rose to the position of senior professor in the Sociology department, where she remained active until her passing. From 2011 through 2024, she also worked as a realtor with Keller Williams in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Joan truly loved what she did. Her work was her passion—she found joy and meaning in educating others and was deeply committed to her students and colleagues. She also enjoyed time spent at the family’s place in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. But above all, her greatest joy in life was her family and the close friendships she nurtured throughout the years.
She is survived by her loving husband, James Malcolm McGowan, and her two devoted sons, Tucker and Logan McGowan.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1890 Washington Valley Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Autism Solutions, 76 Floral Avenue, Murray Hill, NJ 07974.
