JOAN ROWE FERRY

1938-2017

Joan Rowe Ferry, Ph.D., passed away in Houston, Texas on April 27, 2017. She was born in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and later moved with her family to Tucson, Arizona. She graduated from Stanford University in 1960 with Distinction, was nominated for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and while at Stanford married George Douglass Ferry, also a Stanford graduate. They later moved to Houston, where her husband attended and graduated from Baylor College of Medicine.

In addition to her husband, Joan is survived by three daughters: Gwendolyn Rost, her husband Tim, and their children, Hayley and Tommy; Pamela G. Ferry, M.D.; and Jennifer and Bryan Robles, and their children, Rachel, John, and Mark.

Joan is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Judith and James Draper, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and their family: Elizabeth and Tom Pranka and their children, Katherine and Drew; and Jocelyn and Michael Zowine and their children, Matthew and Christopher.

Joan worked at Rice University as an Archives Associate in the Woodson Research Center from 1987 to 2005, during which time she undertook studies at Rice in Medieval History and received a Master’s Degree in 1990 and Ph.D. in 1995.

Joan will always be remembered for her sweet nature and thoughtfulness. She always put others first and went out of her way to make them feel loved and comfortable. She was a wonderful and supportive companion to George for 58 years, and they shared many adventures and loving times together. Her daughters are also grateful for her constant encouragement and all the loving touches she provided daily throughout their lives. Her living example of kindness and selflessness will be a continued inspiration and beautiful memory to all who knew her and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church (6221 South Main Street, Houston) on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at the church. (Consider parking at the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza across Cambridge from the church.)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church.