Joan Ann Moran

Age 63 of Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully Wednesday (November 21, 2007) after a lengthy battle with cancer, leaving behind her two sons and daughter-in-law, Richard and Laurie Moran of Natick, MA and David Moran of Hartford, and a long list of friends, family, and members of the several communities whom she touched deeply. Joan was born in Jersey City, NJ, on December 26, 1946 to Michael and Emily Rozansky, and grew up in Secaucus, NJ, the fourth of five children - Eleanor, Michael Jr., Richard, and the family's youngest child, Albert - the strong filial bond and close-knit, supportive relationship between Joan and her siblings was a mater of immense pride. She graduated from Weehawken High School in Weehawken, NJ, and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree from Pace University in Manhattan. The Moran family moved to the Hartford area in the early 90s, and Joan promptly proceeded to immerse herself in the local community. She was an extremely active parishioner of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, serving as a member of its funeral ministry, volunteering in the food pantry and any other dioceses initiatives where her help and assistance might be needed, and even working for a time as a receptionist in the Cathedral's rectory. Joan returned to school later in life, embarking on a new professional career as a registered nurse, and was educated at Capital Community College in Hartford, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She worked for a number of years as a school nurse within the Hartford Public Schools system, charting memorable stints at both Bulkeley High School and the University High School of Science and Engineering. Joan was always more than willing to lend a helping hand to any who might need it, and reading, movies, travel, nature, and her friends and family were all areas of immense interest and passion. She was loved. Besides her children, Joan is survived by her mother, Emily Rozansky; and her family, Fred and Eleanor Reinl and family, Albert and Francis Rozansky and family, Richard and Shirley Rozansky and family, the family of the late Michael Rozansky Jr., a good friend and cherished companion in Philip Knecht, and a cat, Chucky. Friends may call at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, on Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral will be Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Hwy., Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.