Joan R. Donovan, 63, of Scotch Plains, unexpectedly died at her residence in Scotch Plains on October 18th. The Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Rossi Funeral Home, Scotch Plains, from 4-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 11am at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, Scotch Plains.
Joan was born in Plainfield, and has been a lifelong resident of Scotch Plains. In her younger years she worked at the Sister of Mercy House of Prayer at Mount St. Mary’s Retirement Home. Joan then worked for over 26yrs with the U.S. Postal Service in Scotch Plains, and was a member of the Postal Union. She enjoyed crabbing and fishing with family and friends, gardening and tending to her plants. Joan was always ready to go for a long ride in the car, or you could find her riding on her lawn mower. Chelsea, her faithful dog of 14 years, was always at her side. Joan was a very compassionate woman, who would help and give to anyone she saw in need. It was her mission to see others smile. Many senior citizens considered her a “visiting angel”, as she at times would even take on the role of a caregiver. In her free time she would like to visit thrift shops with her daughters. Joan loved and adored her family, and cherished them all.
Joan is predeceased by her parents Nancy and Charles, and her nephew Robert Leone. She is survived by her partner in life for the last 18yrs., and husband Richard W. Ley; her three daughters Jennifer Donovan, Joan “JoJo” Donovan, and Deanna Dell-Bene; her two grandchildren Jared Figueroa and Alyssa Donovan; her four sisters Nancy Courtright, Theresa Leone (Robert), Maryann Lester (Vic), and Irene Dell-Bene (Tom Hall); and her many nieces and nephews.
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