Murdered NJ Girl Scout’s Mother Shares Hope And Grief In Book, Lecture

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Rosemarie D'Alessandro — whose daughter Joan was killed in 1973 while delivering a box of Girl Scout Cookies — will speak about her new book at the Tappan library in New York Tuesday afternoon.

Her book, "The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness," intersperses her struggles with dozens of letters her daughter's killer wrote while in prison. The book came out in 2024 and has earned positive reviews on Amazon.

Joan D'Alessandro, a 7-year-old Hillsdale resident, disappeared 42 years ago after asking her mom if she could deliver a box of Girl Scout cookies to a neighbor on the corner.

After an investigation, a chemistry teacher who lived across the street was sent to prison for Joan's sex assault and death.

When he came up for parole in 1993, Rosemarie D'Alessandro fought many battles to keep him in jail.

Her campaigns were ultimately successful, resulting in Joseph McGowan being denied parole several times.

"Too often people want to sympathize with the aggressors," wrote one reviewer of her book, "let them out of jail early; give leniency because 'they have changed' mentality. If you take a child from this earth in such a monstrous way — what is the message we are giving."

D'Alessandro will speak at the Tappan library in New York on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Her daughter's killer was a teacher at Tappan Zee high School. Some of his students will come to the event, she said.

The book includes 332 real letters McGowan wrote to a pen pal over 33 years.

"The book includes the personal stories of some former students of Tappan Zee High School who were there at the time Joan's killer taught at the school, and some of those students will attend the talk," said a release.

To register for the talk g to Joansjoy.org or tappanlibrary.org/

Next Event

On Sept. 27, a Saturday, from 2-5 p.m., the Joan’s Joy Foundation will host its 11th Joan’s Child Safety Fest at the Joan D’Alessasndro White Butterfly sculpture at the Hillsdale train station.

Attendees will enjoy music, entertainment, informative and fun activities balloon twisting and face painting with Juggles.

The free event also features a large Tricky Tray raffle. For more info or to get a book autographed to the author, go to Joansjoy.org.

More Information

Killer Joe McGowan died in prison in 2021.

"The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness" can be purchased on Amazon.

Find out about events related to the cause at this website: Joan's Joy.

Read more about a related documentary here.