Joyce Bohnenberger

On Wednesday, May 14th 2025, Mom, Gramie, Aunt, cousin and friend Joyce Lenore Bohnenberger passed away peacefully at the age of 89.
Joyce was born to Dorothy (Mack) and Walter Kauff on September 13, 1935 in the Bronx. They celebrated the births of her brothers Warren and Robert as they made the transition to Fresh Meadows, Long Island. The passing of her father when she was 9 years old was untimely and tragic, but fortunately Dorothy inherited "Wally's" government job at JFK airport. After the joyous birth of Joyce's sister, also named Dorothy, she was able to support a family as a single mother from 1945 until her children were adults. Joyce, her sister and brothers were raised by their Grandma Mack in a very happy home with the blessings of each other, their comedic outlook on life, and a wonderful neighborhood community including Christ Lutheran Church.
Joyce worked her way through Queens College, achieving both her undergraduate and Masters degrees (+ 30 credits to boot!) in Education. She had a passion for teaching and earnestly served the NYC public school system for 15 years, to as many as 42 students per class.
Joyce and Ralph had known each other for many years, even making their confirmation together. Their families, German immigrants, attended the same church and were thrilled when the two married at Christ Lutheran.
From there, Joyce and Ralph launched a wonderful life from their tiny apartment in Whitestone to their first house in Berkeley Heights, NJ. They joined Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence and adopted Ralph & Christa. Not only was she born to be an educator, she was born to be a mother...she raised the children as she stayed at home and in addition taught Sunday school, substituted in the local district, and began an outreach program in Newark, ministering to the unfortunate. Joyce loved doing bulletin boards and being part of Sacred Stitchery. In addition to teaching, she enjoyed learning, attending years of Bible studies with Ralph and many friends of Faith.
They loved cruising with the Benson's from church and friends from Long Island, whom she and Ralph had known since childhood. For many years they had season tickets to the Papermill Playhouse with the Wagenbach's. So many parties with they and the Gockley's are permanent memories. The annual trips to Lake George with the entire extended family were lifetime favorites.
Neighbors were always dear to Joyce, from the Vanacore's on Tudor lane to the Grorud's, Anderson's and DiNunzio's as well as their Old Cannon friends Block parties and book club created friendships across all ages as the neighborhoods grew and transformed.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ralph, her siblings, parents and many loved ones. She is survived by son Ralph (Tracey), daughter Christa (Bob), grandchildren Jessica (Andrew), Alex, Bobby Jr, Jack, Daniel, and great-grandson Drew. She will be dearly missed by the Ladwig, Goodwin, Franze, Kehle, Stevinson and Ozon families.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 524 South Street, New Providence.