Joan Marie (Hall) Bush

Joan Marie (Hall) Bush, who was born Oct. 2, 1945, died Friday, July 10, 2009, in Cape Coral. She was the daughter of John E. and Florence (Voelker) Hall. She attended Notre Dame College in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated in 1990 from Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in fine art. She was a school librarian at St. John the Baptist School in Toledo, Ohio, and an art teacher at Joan of Arc and Christ the King schools in Toledo.

She retired in 1998 to Cape Coral where she pursued her art talents and was active in outdoor activities, especially gardening, hiking, biking and kayaking. She was a Lee County master gardener and was very involved in the Florida Yards and Neighborhood Program, the Florida Native Plant Society, the Cape Coral Historical Society, the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program and the Cape Coral Citizens’ Academy.

She was a talented artist and designer. Her most recent focus had been with gourds, using designs inspired by natural themes and elements. She was deeply committed to environmental issues. Along with her husband, Warren, she conducted rain barrel workshops throughout Lee County, teaching water conservation and environmentally friendly gardening techniques. She was dedicated to the preservation and propagation of native plant species in Florida. She also served as a co-chair person on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Warren Bush; her sons, Lt. Col. Timothy (Sheryl) Bush, U.S. Army; Dr. Jonathan (Erin) Bush, Ph.D.; and grandchildren, Hannah, Delaney, Avery, Sarah, Owen and Eleanor; and a sister, Judy.

She will be deeply missed by her family and all her friends in Ohio and Southwest Florida.

A memorial mass and service will be scheduled when Timothy returns from Iraq. Tributes or contributions are suggested to be made in Hope Hospice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.