09/04/2026
JoAnn Lee Bausman, age 93, of Ocean View, Delaware, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, August 28, 2026, in Mount Airy, Maryland.
JoAnn was born on September 24, 1932, in Cumberland, Maryland, to the late Thomas and Christine (Miller) Peterson. As the oldest child in her family, she learned early in life the values of hard work, sacrifice, responsibility, and caring for others. Growing up between West Virginia and Cumberland, Maryland, she often put the needs of her younger siblings and family before her own, even sacrificing educational opportunities to help support those she loved. These experiences helped shape the remarkable woman she became: strong, compassionate, selfless, and devoted to her family.
JoAnn's greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, William Carl Bausman, Jr., with whom she shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. Together they built a loving home and raised three children, building a life centered on family. JoAnn worked tirelessly to support Bill's professional ambitions while fulfilling her lifelong dream of being a dedicated mother, caregiver, and homemaker. Her unwavering support helped create the foundation upon which her family flourished.
Later in life, she continued her passion for serving others as a cafeteria worker for Baltimore County Public Schools. She cherished the opportunity to work with children and was known for her warm smile, kind heart, and ability to make everyone feel welcome. JoAnn had a gift for bringing out the best in others. She always took the time to greet people, learn their stories, and make a stranger feel like a friend. Her genuine interest in others, infectious laugh, and welcoming spirit left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
JoAnn enjoyed cooking, gardening, dancing, antiquing, playing card games, and collecting elephants. She especially loved spending time with her family, where great memories were made camping, fishing, and crabbing. She was full of life, loved to laugh, and rarely passed up an opportunity to share a conversation with someone new. Following retirement, JoAnn and Bill enjoyed visiting local casinos together, where they made many cherished friendships and shared countless happy moments with their Ocean View neighbors and friends.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, William Carl Bausman, Jr.; her grandson, Joey Hegarty; and her sister, Nancy Maerten.
She is survived by her loving children, Lisa Hegarty (Joseph) of Mount Airy, Maryland, Cami Passerrello (Joshua) of Cockeysville, Maryland, and William Carl Bausman, III (Jeanine) of Parkville, Maryland; six cherished grandchildren, Ryan Hegarty, Chuck Gelso, Vincent Gelso, Victoria Gelso, Caroline Bausman, and William Francis Bausman; and her siblings, Barbara Topper, Thomas Peterson (Iris), and William Peterson (Joyce).
The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, 1212 West Old Liberty Road, Sykesville, Maryland 21784. A funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m.
JoAnn will be remembered for her lifelong devotion to family, her selfless spirit, her compassion for others, and her ability to make everyone feel valued and welcome. Her legacy of love, sacrifice, kindness, and unwavering dedication to those she cared for will continue to live on through the family and friends who were blessed to know and love her.
Online condolences www.Burrier-Queen.com.