Joan Bonner Conway, DSW, ACSW, a pioneer in the field of Social work who was once described as "the Dean among hospital social work directors" died peacefully at Lankenau Hospital on Saturday November 15, 2008 at the age of 88.

Bonner Conway's career spanned decades, covered a wide range of social work milieu, including large and small hospitals, government, university and rehabilitation settings, and was recognized by numerous awards and distinction.

Her career began in 1943 during WWII with the American Red Cross where she served as a caseworker in various hospitals including Walter Reed General Hospital in D.C. and the US Naval Hospital in Philadelphia.

In 1958, she became founding director of the Social Service Department at Magee Memorial Hospital. In 1971, she was appointed director of the Department of Social Work at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from which she retired in 1987. While there She also served as an adjunct faculty member, lecturing in the Schools of Social Work and Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Bonner Conway was a member of various professional organizations, among them The American Association of Medical Social Workers which later became the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She received the national NASW pioneer award in 1994, and became the first recipient of the Pennsylvania NASW lifetime achievement award in 1996.

Other affiliations included the National Rehabilitation Association, the National Conference on Social Work , the American Public Health Association, and the Society for Hospital Social Work Directors of the American Hospital Association, which awarded her life membership for her 30 years of service to the goals of the organization.

Her involvement was not limited to professional groups. She was also active in a wide variety of charitable organizations, serving on the boards and committees of the Philadelphia chapters of the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the March of Dimes, Community Health Affiliates, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

In 1995, she was invested as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in a ceremony at Saint Patrick Cathedral in New York City.

Bonner Conway was born on August 29, 1920 in Baltimore MD, the daughter of the late James Michael Bonner and Elizabeth Lukes Bonner. She attended St. Leonard's Academy in Philadelphia, graduated in 1941 from Rosemont College, and received the MSSW in 1943 from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC and the DSW in 1976 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work. In 1985 she was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award from The National Catholic School of Social Service at Catholic University.

Bonner Conway was the wife of the late Thomas Agnew Conway. Devoted mother of Deborah Conway Potter of Moraga, CA., Francis C. of Wilmington, DE., and Thomas A., Jr. of Oxnard, CA. Loving aunt of Sharon Bonner Garcia of St. David's, Bunny Bonner Krogslund of Quakertown and Margaret Bonner Gronenthal of Lawrenceville, NJ. Also survived by 6 grandchildren, 8 great nephews, 2 great nieces, and many great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at St. John Neumann Church, 330 Highland Ln., Bryn Mawr, PA., on Saturday November 22 from 9:30 to 10:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Malachy Church, 1429 N. Eleventh Street Philadelphia, PA 19122.