Joan Ruth Crowley

Joan Ruth Nohrn Crowley passed away on Nov. 26, 2025, in Austin, TX with family by her side. She was born May 25, 1925, to August and Marion Oswald Nohrn in Topeka, KS and graduated from Topeka High School in 1943. After that, she attended Washburn University, where she became an active member of Alpha Phi sorority.

Joan moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1945, where she met her husband, Charles John Crowley. They married on Sept. 11, 1947, and had their first child, a son, exactly one year later. They also had a daughter on May 17, 1951.

The family moved many times for Charles’s career as a petroleum geologist. They lived in Casper, WY; Lewiston, MT; Billings, MT; Lusk, MT; Scottsdale, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT and El Paso, TX.

Charles finished his career with El Paso Natural Gas, and the couple’s escapades continued in retirement. They enjoyed numerous adventures, including road trips to all 50 states and Canada. The pair also took many overseas vacations, including a memorable tour of China.

While living in El Paso, Joan was an active member of St. Francis on the Hill Episcopal Church, participating in various activities. She served as co-chair of the church’s thrift shop, “Seconds to Go,” for several years and became a member of Daughters of the King, an organization dedicated to prayer and service.

After the death of Charles in 2005, Joan moved to Austin, TX to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She made many new friends while living in Austin.

Joan shared 58 years with her beloved husband. Their travels instilled a love for Southwestern style that shaped her taste in fashion and art. A devoted grandmother, she spent her twilight years in among friends, family and her faithful cat, Charlotte. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and offering withering critiques of current events. Her spark and wit persisted until the day of her death at age 100 and will be missed by all who loved her.

She is survived by two children, Michael Charles Crowley and Cynthia Jo Kingsley, and four grandchildren, Megan (Jason) Hamilton, Amy (Justin) Yurkanin, Tracy Kingsley and John (Greer) Crowley. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, four nieces and three nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepson, Rodger Crowley and his wife, Eileen, and her siblings, Dorothy Hill and William Nohrn.

Services are pending at this time.