Joanne Jacoby

Joanne R. Jacoby, 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2nd, 2026, in her home at Applewood Village in Freehold, New Jersey. She was the only child of George and Madeline Ricedorf.

Growing up, Joanne adored music. She was gifted a piano by her mother, and soon became a diligent student, performing recitals with friends and joining the marching band in High School. This drove her to pursue a degree at Lebanon Valley College where she majored in Music Education with a minor in English. Following her graduation, she worked as a music teacher in the Newville, Pennsylvania area.

After being set up on a blind date by her future brother-in-law, Joanne fell head over heels for John Z. Jacoby, her husband of 70 years. She loved him so much, she even used her teaching salary to put him through his last year of college. John and Joanne had four beautiful children together, John Z. II, John Z. III (Jack), Jamie Lynn, and Jeffrey Mark, all of whom predecease their mother. As the parents of four children with cystic fibrosis, they faced a difficult road, but they walked it hand in hand together.

She was overjoyed when her son Jack became a doctor, and son Jeffrey, a nurse at Saint Vincents Hospital in NYC. Where they worked together caring for children with cystic fibrosis.

At Saint Vincents Nursing School, Jeffrey met the love of his life, MaryJean, and the two were blessed with triplets, Jamie Mark, Dillon Thomas, and Emily Ann. Joanne was ecstatic to become a grandmother, helping raise her grandkids after the passing of their father. Joanne truly was a fantastic mother and Nana.

Joanne's life was full of joy and laughter, she had a larger-than-life personality, befriending and entertaining all those who were lucky enough to call her a friend. She enjoyed hosting holidays, especially New Year's Eve, events for the Woman's Club of Colts Neck, Colts Neck PTO, Colts Neck Library, and was a beloved member of the Colts Neck Reformed Church. Joanne is survived by her husband John, and their three grandchildren.

The viewing will be held at Freeman Funeral Home at 47 East Main Street Freehold, NJ 07728 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, February 5th, 2026. Services will be held at the Colts Neck Reformed Church at 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, New Jersey at 10:30 AM on February 6th, 2026. Burial will take place at East Harrisburg Cemetery in Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joanne's honor to Families and Friends Supporting Cystic Fibrosis Care, c/o Dr. Gwen M. Engelhard, 55 East End Avenue, Suite 14D, New York, NY 10028. To leave a condolence or find directions, please visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.