Joan A. Osterlof

Joan A. Osterlof, of River Edge, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 13, 2023, at the age of 91.

Joan was met in heaven by her beloved husband Carl T. Osterlof, her parents Henry and Anna and her siblings Richard (Mary), Edward (Eileen), William (Maureen), and Jean (Jack).

Survived by her devoted children Carl R. Osterlof (Lisa), James Osterlof, Stephen Osterlof (Cindy), Robert Osterlof (Bridget), Thomas Osterlof (Beth), Jane Daly (William), Edward Osterlof (Diane), and William Osterlof (Jeanine). Cherished grandmother of Carl (Maria), Ryan (Samantha), Jaclyn (Piero), Julie (Robert), Stephen (Jenna), Jennifer, Jessica, Robert (Kaitlyn), Tara (Michael), Andrew (Monica), Grace, Joan, Colin, William, Edward, Emily, Amy, Luke, John, and Brian. Great-grandmother of Isabel, Josie, Khloe, Harrison, Jackson, Nora, Ryan, Summer, and Emma and a countless number of nieces and nephews.

Born in Queens, New York and raised in Union City, New Jersey, Joan enjoyed her childhood being amongst her brothers and sister. In high school she and her sister were cheerleaders at Emerson High School cheering on her brothers at their basketball games. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard, who shortly thereafter was killed in action in Korea. While working at the New Daily News as an executive secretary in the early 1950's, after several rebukes from a handsome advertising salesman, she finally said yes to Carl and a new romance ensued. They married in 1954 and immediately began a family and moved to River Edge in the late 1950's.

As a mother of eight she created a home life for her children that was filled with love and simple activities and crafts. As her family began to grow older, she became actively involved in their activities; team mother for recreation baseball, den mother in cub scouts, dancing lessons and recitals with her daughter and granddaughters, swim lessons at the swim club. Joan supported each and every one of her children's endeavors with her presence and kind words of encouragement.

As her family began to leave home and begin their own love stories and lives Joan re-entered the work force as a secretary at Fairleigh Dickinson University as well as with various small businesses in the River Edge area.

However, her biggest joy was being a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, spending time with them at her home and theirs on activities she had enjoyed with her own children; coloring, baking cookies and watching them play with vintage toys from her toy chest.

Throughout her life Joan never wavered from her faith. A devout Catholic, her favorite accessories were her rosary beads and prayer book. She was an active member of several St. Peter's parish organizations including the Rosary Society where she served as President, Cornerstone and Journey. She empowered many by her good deeds and prayer.

Joan's gifts of family, love and faith have and will continue to provide memories and stories that will live in our hearts forever.

Family and friends are welcomed at Basralian Funeral Home, 559 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell on Friday, November 17th from 3-8PM. A mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church, 445 Fifth Avenue in River Edge on Saturday, November 18th at 10:30 AM. The funeral mass will be livestreamed on the church's website, www.saint-peter.org/livestream. Private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in honor of her devout faith to the church's Music Ministry, checks may be payable to St. Peter the Apostle Music Ministry.