joAnne Stowell, age 78 of Bridgeport and formerly of Pelham, NY, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at St. Vincent's Medical Center.  She was born on April 15, 1932 in Detroit, MI to the late E. Dudleigh Ruegsegger, who predeceased her by only two days, and Grace (Clark) Ruegsegger.  Mrs. Stowell grew up in Michigan and received a degree from Alma College.  She was a lifelong animal lover, was active in numerous community organizations in Pelham, and was a frequent volunteer for WNET-TV, one of the public television stations serving the New York metropolitan area.  Subsequently, she was an executive assistant for Connecticut Bank & Trust and the University of Bridgeport.  She is survived by three sons: Davis Paul Stowell and his wife Celia, of Larchmont, NY; William Elliot Stowell and his wife Caroline, of Trumbull; and Robert Clark Stowell, of Bridgeport.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Ernest Verne Stowell, who passed away last month; a son, John Michael Stowell; and a grandson, Matthew Gerard Stowell.  She is the grandmother of Julianne Stowell, Alexandra Stowell, William Samuel Stowell, and Rebecca Stowell.  Funeral service and interment will be private.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in memory of joAnne Stowell.  Information on making a donation is available online at http://www.aspca.org/donate and clicking on "Honor Giving - Memorial Gifts" or over the telephone at (800) 628-0028. Arrangements by the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Trumbull. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com