Joan Trube Nowak

Born September 4, 1929, in Houston, Texas

Went to be with the Lord on

July 23, 2021 in Spring, Texas

Age 91

Joan was born in Houston, Texas, daughter of Fred and Ann Trube.  Her parents, along with her sister Mary, moved to Shreveport, Louisiana and then on to New York City until their return to Houston as a young woman. She met her soulmate Chester E. Nowak at Gulf Oil.  Most of the time was spent in Houston, but there was an 18-year period where they lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the kids younger years.  For 64+ years Joan was a devoted wife to Chester until his death six years ago.  Together they raised five children who were all together in town with her upon her peaceful passing.

Throughout her life Joan was a volunteer at several hospitals, including Tomball Regional Medical Center for over 32 years. She was a lay chaplain for Community of Hope for many years and visited patients under the care of Houston Hospice.  Joan was an  active member of Prince of Peace Catholic Community for over 40 years.  She volunteered at Heartland Nursing Home to visit, pray and have mass with a Prince of Peace group.  Since Chester's passing, Joan had been an independent resident at the Village of Gleannloch Farms community, where she spent her last years enjoying new and old friends.

Joan enjoyed life.  Here are few of her favorite things she enjoyed doing in her later years:

Spreading the Word

Being a Prayer Warrior

Attending Bible Study

Riding her "prayer" bike

Logging her daily journal entry

Discovering the Life Story of each person she met

Being savvy on her computer, iPad, iPhone

Tracking her kids on her iPad

Working Crossword Puzzles

Watching her favorite TV shows – Judge Judy, Live PD

Eating at Taste of Texas with her family

Eating Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream each evening

Joan was a devoted Christian and spread that message to all who would listen.  Her motto is "Go out in joy and be led forth in peace".   She was anticipating her "graduation" where she would be in the presence of Jesus Christ, family and friends.

The Family

FIVE CHILDREN

Carol Lovett and wife, Heidi Fischer

Captain Scott Nowak and wife, Sandy

Captain Mark Nowak and wife, Roselee

Gene Nowak and wife, Sue

Anne Steinkamp and husband, Paul

EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN

Jennifer Nied and husband, Ryan

Christy Carter and husband, Bill

Jeannie Bambara and husband, Joe

Salina Jimenez and husband, Ruben

Ben Nowak and wife, Megan

Jon Nowak and fiancée, Alyson Gatrell

Rachel Hirst and husband, Robert

Randy Steinkamp

TEN GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

Alivia, Landon, Halle, Scotty, Taylor, Jackson, Aubrey, Preston, Nora, Amelia.

SISTER AND HER FAMILY

Mary Frasure and her children James Frasure, Rachel Henderson, Liza Matthes.  Also, Randy Frasure who preceded Joan in death.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in the memory of Joan may be directed to the Prince of Peace Catholic