Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Joan L. Papen, 79, of Scotch Plains, died at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ on Saturday, March 15, 2014. The Funeral will be held at the Rossi Funeral Home, 1937 Westfield Ave. Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 9:30am, with a Funeral Service beginning at 10:00am. An Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains, NJ. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 2-4PM and 7-9PM at the funeral home.
Joan was born in Plainfield, raised in Rahway, and settled to Scotch Plains in 1962. She graduated from Katherine Gibbs School in 1955. Joan was elected and served on the Scotch Plains Township Council from 1983-1998. She was appointed as Mayor of Scotch Plains in 1986, 1989, 1993, and 1998, and as Deputy Mayor in 1985, 1988, 1992, and 1997. Joan served as the Township Council Liaison with her involvement in the Planning Board, as Treasure and Vice Chairman of the Union Council League of Municipalities, Library Board of Trustees, the Master Plan Review Committee, Cultural Arts Committee, Mayor's Charity Ball Committee, and the PTA Council and Board of Education. Joan initiated the Telecommunications Advisory Committee, which included the live televising of the Township Council Public Meetings on local cable providers, the Environmental Commission, Downtown Business Alliance, World War II Commemorative Committee, and the Holiday Decorating Committee. Joan formerly held the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Commissioner of the Rahway Valley Sewer Aurthority from 1995-2011, Vice Chairman of the Union County Republican Committee, Co-Chairman of the Union County Freeholder Campaign in 1999, as President of the Union County Women's Political Caucus, Vice President of the Union County GOP Women's Club, PTA President of the Brunner School, Park Jr. High School, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Chairman of the Union County Traffic Safety Committee, and as a Legislative Aid to Alan Augistine. Joan was currently a Chairman of the Union County Republican Women and Vice Chairman of the Scotch Plains Republican Committee.
Joan is survived by her husband Robert Papen; her two daughters and their husbands Laurie and Robert Fuchs and Cheri and Robert Santiago; her two grandsons Connor and Brandon Santiago.
Contributions can be made the the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad P.O. Box 325 Scotch Plains, NJ. 07076. Please visit our website for full obituary www.therossifuneralhome.com
Joan will surely be missed by all of her friends (she certainly had many). Our deepest sympathy to her family. I'm sure we speak for all of the "Town Hall" people. Scotch Plains will really miss her.
Bob & Ginny Luce
March 28, 2014
So sorry to hear my cousin Joan has died, my husband and I are very sorry for the loss to the family,
Gloria Garofolo James and Junior James
Gloria James
March 23, 2014 | Canisteo, NY
Dear Cheri, all of us at Mazzeo Agency share in the loss of your mom. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Mary Mazzeo
March 19, 2014 | Woodbridge, NJ
I am so saddened to learn of Joan's death. She was young at heart, always smiling, always happy. I often thought of Joan since meeting her during my time at the RVSA, and I was happy we kept in touch after I left the RVSA. I was blessed to have Joan as my friend. She will be missed. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.
Maria Vassallo
March 18, 2014 | Springfield, NJ
Please know that we are sending thoughts and prayers your way. Joan was such a bright light. She will always be remembered.
Donna Montanelli
March 18, 2014 | Wall, NJ
Our thoughts and prayers to the Papen family. We are very sorry for your loss.
Lee Peigelbeck and Daughters.
March 18, 2014
Our sympathy for your loss. Romans 12:3
March 17, 2014
Papen Family,
Joan was the most rcognized fixture in the Scotch Plains community during the twenty years I lived there on Concord Road, always willing to offer help and advise. I am saddened to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Denis Cummings
March 17, 2014 | Huntington, NY
My sympathy goes to the family. I am very sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in God's word. He is a refuge in times of sorrow. -Psalms 46: 1
March 17, 2014