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JOAN NEFF Obituary
JOAN PARONI NEFF
On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, Joan Paroni Neff of Bethany Beach, DE, formerly of Washington, D.C., passed away surrounded by family. Joan was born on August 6, 1932 to the late Francis and Regina (O'Lone) Paroni. In 1956, she married John W. Neff with whom she had five children before John died tragically in 1963. Joan Neff was a graduate of St. Joseph College. She also attended, taught and served as Dean of Students at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, then retired to Bethany where she served her community, Church, family and friends with love and joy. Joan also frequently escaped to her beloved Bantry, Ireland. Mrs. Neff was 84.She will be missed by her sister, Adele S. Paroni; her children John Jr, Karen, Sheila, Chris (Mindy), Robin (Michael) Rashford, her adored grandchildren Katherine, Jack (Caroline), Kevin, Meghan, and her many cousins and countless friends.Services will be held on Friday, March 10 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Bethany Beach, DE with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.Online condolences may be sent by visitingwww.melsonfuneralservices.com
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Memories and Condolences
for JOAN NEFF
Sponsored by Her Loving Family.
Kathleen Killette Franklin
February 27, 2025
Remembering Joan Neff as a remarkable mom - and substitute-mom - during those wonderful summers at the beach. Miss you, "Mrs. Neff"....
Kate Kennedy
March 19, 2019
It's been two years and we still miss Joan! We talk about her often; always welcoming us, her extended family, at all family gatherings, laughing over daily life events, and offering her forthright opinions. Watching her interactions with her kids, especially John, was the highlight of the day! We love you and miss you always.
SunFlowers
Gregory Bryner
March 18, 2019
A Year has Passed and she is always in my thoughts---The Mom's are watching us now---God Bless
June 4, 2017
Joan ("Call me Joan, not Mrs. Neff!") was a second Mom to me for over 20 years. She always included us in family celebrations and I loved spending time with her; you got nothing past her, and she was always ready with advice, and appreciation for anything you did for her. I can't imagine her home without seeing her in the sunroom, waving down at us to "come on up" and visit with her. Dogs always welcome! We miss you, Joan, now and always.
March 25, 2017
Mrs. Neff....Please call me Joan ! I will never forget the day we met and cherished the years of friendship and Love..We always looked forward to her visits to Kennedy Gallery in Rehoboth..I will miss her everyday...A Wonderful Second Mom.God Bless you Always...Greg& Kate
Todd Evans
March 6, 2017
God Bless Joan. She was a lovely Brilliant woman who cared very deeply about so many things...most of all Bethany Beach and of course her family. I wish the family sincere sympathy and my condolences.
Kathleen Killette Franklin
March 5, 2017
Joan Neff was one in a trillion. A great friend to my parents and like a second mom to me for many summers at the beach. She had a marvelous sense of humor, a generous heart, and an indomitable spirit. I'll miss you, "Mrs. Neff."
Ed Burns
March 5, 2017
I was VERY fond of Joan. She was one of the pillars at Blessed Sacrament School. I throughly enjoyed our many talks, usually centering around her uncle, and my close friend, Brother Remigius, CFX, Uncle Frank. Bro. Rem made men out of so many of us at Good Counsel. Those were the days.
Always your,
Prof Ed Burns
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