Jo Ann Fowler

Jo Ann Baccaglio Fowler

January 22, 1937 – August 10, 2024

Leaving our arms and joining her dear ones in heaven, Jo Ann Baccaglio Fowler departed this earth in peace and comfort on August 10, 2024. We are grateful for her friendship, parenting, service and unconditional love.

Born in San Francisco to Margaret Corcoran Baccaglio and  Joseph Anthony Baccaglio, Jo Ann lived at the Agua Caliente Springs Hotel charming the workers, guests and her proprietor grandparents Thomas and Emily Shirley Corcoran. Jo Ann loved running with her many cousins at the Baccaglio Novato ranch of grandparents Mary and James as well as in the City with her Shirley and Canobbio cousins. After moving to the new family home on  Second Street East in Sonoma, Jo Ann attended St. Francis Solano School. Summers meant fun with Camp Fire Girls, trips to Tahoe, and dance performances on wheels at the Sebastiani Rollertorium. She delivered the Salutatory Address to her graduating class at Sonoma Valley High School in June 1954 then moved to Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles studying Liberal Arts and joining Kappa Delta Chi Sorority.

Jo Ann met a blond-haired local firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and paused. In April 1957, Father Roberts of St Francis married Jo Ann and Gordon Fowler of Kenwood CA in the company of their family and many friends.

A famous productive time followed as Jo Ann made a home on Stewart Street in Santa Rosa welcoming three daughters and three sons with Gordon. Her energy and creativity showed in her beautiful home and festive celebrations. Jo Ann was awarded her Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Francisco State College in 1959 while substitute teaching at Saint Rose School and completing her teaching credentials.

As Gordon advanced in his Forestry career (CDF now Cal Fire), Jo Ann’s family of eight moved to Fallbrook, CA in 1966. She continued her 39-year teaching career in Vista, CA including classrooms at Grapevine, Monte Vista, Olive and Mission Meadows Elementary Schools. She taught the history of California, her love of books, reading and beautiful handwriting to her students.  She regularly rose before dawn, graded papers stacked on the table, then readied breakfast and six lunch bags in a row. Then, as she remembered fondly, Jo Ann was off to a quiet commute across the Bonsall Bridge.

Jo Ann raised her family first on Alvarado Street with sports, scouts, puppy packs and Mass every Sunday at St. Peters. A newly built home and pool on Stagecoach Lane a short walk from the Fallbrook Union High School hosted kids, neighbors and 4H animals. Vacations meant camping across California deserts and Baja beaches with holiday trips to Sonoma (one famous Christmas with six children, a new-mother Springer Spaniel and eight puppies). Years passed, the family grew with marriages and grandbabies all centered by Jo Ann’s practical loving presence.

Retirement in 1997 for Jo Ann meant farewell to Fallbrook and a return to her Sonoma childhood home with Gordon.  Service, as a substitute teacher at St Francis Solano School, as a committee member of Friends In Sonoma Helping (FISH), as an officer of the SVHS  Alumni Association, as an officer of Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Women Educators, kept her phone ringing. Longtime and new friends spoke of her curious nature and quick mind.

Jo Ann’s Catholic faith, reflecting her Italian and Irish ancestors,  was a pillar throughout her life. Her Rosary quietly went everywhere.  She was as a Mass Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St Francis delivering  prayer and the Holy Eucharist to those at home.

So many Vintage Festivals and Fourth of July celebrations on the parade routes and in her home connected Jo Ann happily to her growing family, extended relatives and friends. Her gate to the shady corner yard opened and closed around the clock bringing festivities and memorable fun. Jo Ann enjoyed knowing all about you, your family, your adventures and welcomed the news of the day with a generous spirit and open arms. It was especially good if you rooted for the SF Giants and watched all the football too.

Jo Ann earned many friendships with her charismatic positivity and love of life. They’ll remember, as her children do, her creativity in fashionable sewing, the intricate needlework projects, beautifully set holiday tables and meals. Memories of Jo Ann’s delicious stuffed zucchini flowers, homemade pomegranate jelly, cracked crab salads, skillful wild game preparation are only surpassed by the sight of the traditional persimmon pudding, set aflame with brandy under Gordon’s firefighting direction, at the close of Christmas dinner.

Jo Ann knew how much she was loved, always with modesty and the grace of forgiveness and transcendence.  She could start each day fresh. She inspired us all with the gratitude she felt for her life and wished you each the same.

We remember her now as we each met her - optimistic, open hearted, generous, and intrigued by the world. We imagine Jo Ann’s reunion with family and friends she hasn’t seen in a long time, singing the SVHS Dragon “Fight Song” and “All in Favor” with a few dogs at foot and glasses held high.

Thank you for your unwavering friendship and love, Jo Ann, Mom, Nan.  We hold you closely, everyone and all, unfailingly and resiliently.

Predeceased  by her husband Gordon David Fowler in 2008, Jo Ann Is survived by her children Mary Ann (Rob Burgess), Tom (Linda Fowler), Kathy (Robert Powers), Dan (Jeannie Fowler), Margaret (Phil Leonelli), Patrick (Mike King) and by her grandchildren Gordon (Katie Fowler), Bethany (Greg Amarra), Phil Leonelli (Dennise Venegas), Allison (Ryan Davis), Tim Leonelli (Katie Beckvold), JPatrick Burgess, Maggie Powers, Jake (Lilli Fowler), Brigid Powers, Andrew Burgess, Tommy Fowler and by her great grandchildren Drew Candela, Georgia Fowler, Henry Fowler, Teddy Amarra, Brooklyn Davis, Melanie Amarra, and her nieces Denise (Ivor Horsfall), Audrey (Dave Flood), and by her nephew Duane (Shannon Sinclair) and by her dearest friends Virginia Valente Randall, Tony Salmon Rosasco and Jan Lockhart.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Rosary Vigil at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W Napa St, Sonoma. A Requiem Mass will take place at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at St Francis Solano Church, 469 3rd St W, Sonoma, with a reception following in Fr. Roberts Hall. Private interment will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma.

Live Streaming of the Funeral Mass can be found on the following:

1. YouTube - "Father Alvin Villaruel"

2. FB Page 1 - "St. Francis Solano Church Sonoma"

3. FB Page 2 - "Father ALVIN Villaruel St. Francis Solano Catholic Church"

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jo Ann’s memory can be made to St Francis Solano Church, Friends In Sonoma Helping (FISH), or your favorite charity.

The family encourages you to write a thought or memory on the obituary tribute wall.

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