Joan Brennan Obituary
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She was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ. She met her husband, Brendan, at a CYO event in high school. It was the first and last time they ever played ping pong-Joan won, and she never let him forget it.
After getting married, they moved to a small neighborhood in Clark to start their family, where they, together with their children, formed lifelong bonds and friendships. Joanie loved her husband, children, and family dearly. She filled her home with love and warmth, extending that same feeling to anyone fortunate enough to spend time there. After her youngest went off to college, she returned to work as a secretary for the department of Special Services in Summit, where she formed lasting friendships. As her children started their own families, Joanie and Brendan's house remained a cozy haven over the years, where she enjoyed cooking and baking for Sunday family dinners and holidays. She cherished the summer vacations with her children and grandchildren in Hilton Head, The Outer Banks, and Cape May. Joanie especially loved spending long weekends at the Black Bass Hotel on the Delaware River.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Rose Krivinsky; her brothers, Joseph and Tom Krivinsky; and most recently, her beloved granddaughter, Laura Roessle, in 2025.
Joanie is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Brendan Brennan, her children Lisa and Pete Roessle, Kenny and Maria Brennan, Kelly and Eric Paprocki, and Carrie and Scott Beirne; and her grandchildren Carlie, Brian, Michael, Patrick, Philip, Erica, Kayla, Timmy, Delanie, Michael, and Matteo.
A memorial gathering will take place at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Ave, Fanwood, NJ 07023, on Wednesday, September 3rd from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, September 4th at 11:30 AM at St. Helen's Roman Catholic Church, 1600 Rahway Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's name to Center of Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, NJ.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joan, please visit our Tree Store.
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