JoAnne Isabel "Swan Lady" (Bukas) Stevens

JoAnne Isabel “Swan Lady” (Bukas) Stevens, caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend quietly passed away Aug 22, 2025, at age 87. Born November 8, 1937, in Pittston, PA, to the late Joseph and Isabel (Wierbowski) Bukas, she grew up on a farm in Washington township, Wyoming County, PA and graduated from Tunkhannock High School in 1955. Farm life wasn’t for her, and JoAnne attended the Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing in Sayre, graduating in 1958. While there she met the love of her life, Edward Stevens, through mutual motorcycle riding friends. They got off to a bit of a rocky start when he picked her up for their first date and he told the house mother he couldn’t remember her name, but it rhymed with “mucus”. Yet she married Edward on April 18, 1959, and their romance lasted over 63 years. She worked at the Robert Packer Hospital upon graduation but moved to Towanda after the birth of their daughter in 1960. JoAnne was head nurse at the Marie Foyle Nursing Home in Towanda, and she worked at the Memorial Hospital in Towanda as a general nurse and in the ER. In 1969 their son came along, and JoAnne retired to become a full time Mom. JoAnne was a real go-getter and enjoyed doing volunteer work over the years: Red Cross, many, many Blood Mobiles, Junior Women’s Club (she was club president and honored with the Junior of the Year award), Girl Scout Leader and Band Boosters (for both of her children). JoAnne was the first Treasurer for the North Towanda Fire & Rescue Department. She was a dedicated TOPS Club (Take off Pounds Sensibly) member in a chapter she organized in Towanda over 40 years ago and was a proud KOPS (Keep off Pounds Sensibly) member. Through the years JoAnne put together an impressive swan collection of all kinds (none live, and no swans were harmed in the making of this collection). Swans could be found in every room of her lovely home and even a large copper cupola with a swan on top of her house. She enjoyed going to Bingo and the casinos with her sister, Jean. And whether playing Bingo, slot machines or the local basket raffle, JoAnne always had uncanny good luck and seemed to have a winning streak that never ended. To her family she was the “Bingo Queen”. JoAnne had high standards and always dressed impeccably, even when gardening. Her family always marveled that she could do all that gardening and not get dirty. She also enjoyed crocheting and playing Mahjong on the computer. With her husband and family, JoAnne enjoyed traveling and adventured in such places as Las Vegas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Disney World, the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, England, Scotland, and the Bahamas. Her grandson Jeremy was her special helper for the past several years. He was the best helper that you could ask for! He made sure his Grandma had everything to make her comfortable and made her last years the best! We were blessed to have him be her right-hand man. While her physical presence is gone, her love, guidance, and memories will remain a constant, indelible part of the lives of all who knew her. Many friends and family will mourn her, including daughter and son-in-law Joan and Richard K. Cook II in Towanda, PA; daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen (Jendrey) Stevens, West Pittston, PA; grandson Richard K. Cook III and his wife Helen in Colorado; grandsons Jeremy and Alex, both in Towanda; sister and husband Jean (Bukas) and Don Gorski, Sayre, PA; niece Anastasia (Stasi) Gajdowski Olson, Saegertown, PA; as well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, and other relatives too numerous to mention, but who all held a special place in her heart. In addition to her parents, JoAnne was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edward (2022); son, Brian Edward (2021); brothers Joseph (2016) and Paul (2011) and sisters Pat (2000) and Marylou (2020). The family will receive friends Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home 217 York Ave. Towanda, PA with Rev. Jose Kuriappilly, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Towanda, officiating. Interment will be in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, North Towanda, PA In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in JoAnne’s name to the North Towanda Fire & Rescue Department, 40 Hillcrest Dr, Towanda, PA 18848. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.,com.

JoAnne Isabel "Swan Lady" (Bukas) Stevens

November 8, 1937 - August 22, 2025

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JoAnne Isabel "Swan Lady" (Bukas) Stevens

November 8, 1937 - August 22, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

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About Us

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Grief & Healing

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