JoAnn Helen (Otto) Bousum

JoAnn Helen (Otto) Bousum, 97, of Everett, formerly of Hagerstown, MD, passed away Monday January 13, 2025 at Homewood at Martinsburg. She was born May 24, 1927, in Claysburg, daughter of the late C. Marvin and Sue (Wright) Otto. She married Derwood Bellmont “Dodge” Bousum and he preceded her in death on June 25, 2010.

Surviving are special cousins Joyce Wright and her children David and Lynn Wright, Joan Moore, Patty Kelly, Anna Jean Houser, Cynthia, Joe and Chaila Fraundorfer, and many friends, too numerous to mention. She was preceded in death by, her parents, husband, and a brother Marvin R. Otto.

JoAnn was a 1945 graduate of Claysburg High School and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. She retired from the State of Maryland, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, after 36 years of service.

She was a member of John Wesley United Methodist Church, Hagerstown, MD. She was an advocate and supporter of fine arts and music in the Hagerstown community, as a member of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Guild, serving on the Guild Board, and was the recipient of the Toot Your Horn Award in 2000. JoAnn was also a member of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and the Singer Society, Fountainhead Country Club and the Garden Club, and the Womens Club of Hagerstown.

Friends will be received from 11:00 A.M. until the 1:00 P.M. funeral service on Friday January 17, 2025 at the Leslie-Miller Funeral Home, Claysburg, with Pastor Charlie Miller officiating. Interment at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Osterburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to;

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, P.O. Box 423 Hagerstown, MD 21741

Maryland Symphony Orchestra, 363 South Cleveland Avenue Suite 200 Hagerstown MD 21740

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