My Dear Aunt JoAnn
Many of  nights watching you, Uncle Joe, my mother Betty Bova & Father Ross Bova
Playing Canasta wee in the morning hours
Hearing the stories, about Imperial  Lounge and Gas Light Square 
Hearing that you all were dancing to sounds Ike & Tina Turner live
From being neighbors on DeTony  street to being FAMILY
I will miss you so much and treasure your memories.
Love you, say Hi to everyone in heaven

I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

I first met the Bova family many years ago when I assisted in helping them to find a new home and selling their home on The Hill. That professional relationship quickly turned into a great friendship.  Joan was a spitfire and such a joy to be around.  In the early days of my career I would stop by in the afternoon and hang out with the girls, which usually  included Judy as well. Joan graciously welcomed me into her life as well as Chrissy’s  and soon into the lives of her family. I will forever be blessed and grateful for having known and shared a part of my life with the amazing Joan Bova.🥰 Love you Joan and family!

From the very beginning Mom took care of me and my many medical challenges. She is my best friend, my rock and will always be my angel. I’m very grateful I was able to return the favor and take care of Mom when she needed me most. I am thankful I got to hold her hand, kiss her forehead and tell her I loved her the night she passed. She may of left me here on Earth, but I know we will be together again in Heaven. 

There aren’t enough words to describe how special Sugar Nana was to me. She is by far one of the strongest women I have had the honor to know and love. I am forever grateful that I got to be a part of her life and feel extremely blessed to be able to call her my family. Nana is one of the most generous and kind souls that I have ever met. Truly one of a kind. Her smile, laughter and quick wit could light up any room. She will forever be missed and I will cherish the last moments we had together.  We love you Sugar Nana, thank you so much for loving us. 

My Nana

I’m blessed to have so many amazing memories with this incredible woman. I’m proud and grateful to be her grandson. From my youth, I remember cruising around in one of her large cars running errands. I recall enjoying those rides as it would inevitably  result in a toy or treat. I vividly remember wearing her glasses around the Hill house and getting very dizzy, eating vanilla ice cream cones on that front porch, and driving my fire engine truck in the backyard. She always had the sweetest tea, Vitale’s bread, and a bucket of Parmesan cheese in her house. 

My Nana was a giver to say the least. Even if it was a random visit, she’d make sure I left with something; and I dare not turn that down. She has helped me out more than I can express, and I am forever thankful for that. In her last days, I told her how much I appreciate everything she has done for me and she respond saying “It was an act of love”.  

She was without a doubt the toughest person I know. Her life wasn’t always easy but that never stopped her from going above and beyond for her loved ones. 

Grandparents are special people, but my Nana was the best! I will miss her every day for the rest of my life while holding on to the countless memories. 

I would like to thank my parents for merging homes with Nana and Chris, giving me more years and memories with my Nana. 

The last night she was able to speak we got to say “I love  you” to each other. That means everything to me. 

Aunt Joan was the best .That red  head we will all miss.  She was more then just  a Aunt  to me and so many others. I had her in my life longer then my own mom. She was my 2nd mom . She was  one of a kind . We could not ask for more then that. She was everything and more. Straight up and tell you the way it was . The love she had for us all . You would not believe. Always a smile and her laugh and jokes omg she had some for sure. We would sit and play cards for hours .In to the late hours. We watched the recorded  soaps. Her love for Al Pacino . WOW that was her man . She loved to dance and loved music  .She was a hard working lady and busted her butt for her family  .  She will be missed and more. Love you Aunt Joan. Hurt to see you go. May you rest in peace and enjoy your new world.

My condolences to the entire Bova/Helton/Wright family!!
So many good memories of Joan to even list.  Joan was a kind, beautiful, funny, loving woman!!! She would do anything for anyone especially her children and grandchildren!!! But 1 thing that just sticks with me in my heart. Is Joan and Joe Bova always treated me with respect and love 💘. 
If all friends would be going to show, skating or even a candy store. They ALWAYS slipped me a few bucks to make sure I could go!!! Just a couple of weeks ago I got to visit Joan and was so happy I got to. Just to give her a hug and tell her how thankful I was that she and Joe always did this for me. And that I really appreciated it. Also to let her know she has and always will have a special place in my heart ❤ . Till we meet again Joan save a place for me under that shady tree and a fishing pole. 
Love to ALL!!!!

Memorial Gathering

A Celebration of Life Service

Joe Bova

Ernie Wright

Joe (Doris) Wright

Judy (Dyke) Knackstedt

Christina Bova

Zachary (Amy) Knackstedt,

Meghan Knackstedt (Dyke)

Caitlin (Jake) Schnare

Jamie Wright

Eric Wright

Nikki Wright

Adoring "Sugar Nana" ,Grandmother, and Great-grandma to Carson, Brady, Kennady, Emersyn, Casey and Jamie Lynn;
Our dear Aunt, Great Aunt, Cousin, Godmother and Friend to Many. Joan was the last surviving of six children born to Emmett &amp; Elvira Helton.

OBITUARY

Joan Bova

July 27, 1935 – July 22, 2021

Hoffmeister South County Chapel

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