JoAnn Bowers Bailey

JoAnn Bowers Bailey passed away on August 27, 2015 at Sherman Home Hospice in Scottsdale Arizona. She was born September 20, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah to her parents Grant and Leila Bowers. She was the fourth of six children and grew up in a loving home with her five brothers. Not only was it a supportive home, but as one might guess with five brothers, it taught her patience, instilled toughness, and gave her the skills to raise two boys of her own. She met her future husband of 46 years, Dennis Bailey, while working at the Villa Theater during high school. She graduated from Highland High School in 1966. She and Dennis married in 1969 amongst the tumult of the Vietnam War, and began her career as a model and buyer for Stevens-Brown while Dennis served in the United States Army. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as skiing, water skiing and tennis. She also enjoyed attending concerts, but most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She and Dennis had two children, Chris, born in 1972, and Wyatt, born in 1975. The four moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1977 and began this new chapter by making many lifetime friends in Southern Arizona. Their next stop was Phoenix, where JoAnn was an active member of Junior League of Phoenix, and a frequent volunteer for the Scottsdale Unified School District, and serving on the Cocopah Elementary and Middle School PTA board of directors, ultimately becoming President. She later began another career, lending her considerable artistic and organizational skills to Gerber Industries as Art Director, prior to her move to Lindenhurst, Illinois in the mid-90s. She continued to work in advertising in the Chicago area, until her return to Scottsdale to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful and supportive grandparent to Sommer, and Grant.