Catherine J. Stowers

DELMAR - Catherine “Joan” Stowers of Delmar, NY, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2016. Wife of the late Hugh; dear mother of Lyn Malinowski (Stephen), and grandmother of Stephanie Church (Patrick). Joan was preceded in death by her parents Norbert and Madalyn Schmitz, formerly Blatzheim, and by her sister, Madalyn Hine and her brother-in-law, Gene, formerly of Albany, NY. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. Joan spent much of her life as a homemaker. During those years, Joan and Hugh’s home welcomed warmly her daughter’s friends, first as children, and then as young women with husbands and families. She helped them to be wiser, braver, and stronger mothers and wives. She taught them self-respect and bravery. She inspired them by expecting their best selves because she tried to be her best self. She was a gentle soul who loved delicate things, and an orderly world and who made pretty crafts. After her husband died in 1979, she went to work at the New York State Thruway. She continued with her crafts, gifting wedding quilts then baby clothes and blankets to her friends and family. Joan was a parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle in Delmar for over fifty years. Joan's family would like to thank the staff of the Teresian House and the Loudonville Assisted Living for their loving care of Joan throughout her stay with them. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 4th at 9:30 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Delmar. Family and friends may call from 4pm to 7pm on Friday June 3rd at Applebee Funeral Home , 403 Kenwood Avenue Delmar, New York. As Joan so loved her many dogs, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Animal Protective Foundation, at 53 Maple Avenue Scotia, NY 12302 would be appreciated.