Joanna E. Cowan

Joanna E. Cowan, 66, Lenexa, KS passed away Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospice House.

She was born on December 5, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri to John E. and Ruth M. (Groves) Cowan. Joanna was a lifelong area resident.  Her jobs over the years were selling insurance for Prudential, selling cosmetics at Dillards, and she opened the Harrah’s in Kansas City as well as New Orleans.  She made so many friends in the casino business and truly loved it.  She was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and had to quit working, but it didn’t stop her from enjoying as much as she could with family and friends.  She loved animals and seemed to always have a dog and/or a cat.  Her dog, Ollie, misses her so much already.  She loved her many lunches and dinners with grade school girlfriends and the King Louie crew, as well as all the sporting events to watch her grandchildren.  Holidays were very important to her and always wanted to be with her daughter and family.  Her heart was huge, her laughter was contagious, and she will be missed so much.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her daughter, Kris Downing (Ken); grandchildren, Jessika, Dawson, Dylan, and Jaylee and her sister,  Helen Henthorne.

Memorial contributions may be made to  KCCURE.ORG or Melissa’s Second Chances.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. A visitation will be from 10:00am - 11:00am, where a rosary will be held at 9:30am.