Meet Joan
Growing up in Middlesex, NJ in a two-story Colonial home in the 1940s alongside her brother, Jack, gave her many fond memories. Joan remembers a gate in the backyard cleverly made from two wagon wheels, and can still smell the sweet, intoxicating perfume of the honeysuckle vines that cascaded over the garden fence. Lilies of the Valley thrived in the shade surrounding a large tree, and remain her favorite to this day. Although she lost her father when she was only 12 years old, her brother Jack, eight years older, quickly stepped up, giving her love and support. Together, they attended many Broadway shows, sharing special moments that remained with her throughout her life
After moving to North Plainfield in the 1960s, her two children, Kathy and Kevin, completed the family. She is very proud of all that Kathy has accomplished. Kathy lives in Arizona with her 2 dogs, Otis and Sammy, and her 2 cats, Leilani and Ziggy. She has volunteered many hours with organizations that rescue cats and dogs. Though there is a big distance in miles separating them, they stay in touch by Joan sending Kathy an “up” text each morning when she awakes, and then they connect every evening to talk. This daily contact is important to both of them.
Joan affectionately remembers when Kevin invited her and Kathy to go to Las Vegas to meet his friends. Although Joan was very apprehensive about flying on her own, she was determined to go, knowing how much it meant to him. Her effort was rewarded the moment she arrived - Kevin had a beaming smile that lasted all weekend long. Kathy and Kevin celebrated her birthday while they were together for the weekend. It is a memory she will never forget.
Throughout her time in Middlesex, North Plainfield and now Three Bridges, her Catholic faith has been a constant source of strength, peace and hope. You could often find her reading at mass, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and visiting the homebound, bringing them Communion on Sundays. And, it is her deep faith that helped her through the loss of her parents, the passing of her first and second husbands, and more recently her son Kevin.
Her gratitude for life’s everyday blessings is evidenced by the plaque on her piano that reads: “The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.” Her recent health challenges have given that sentiment even greater meaning, as she is now receiving occupational and physical therapy to learn how to safely step into and out of a car and up and down from a curb while maintaining her balance — something she once did without a second thought.
As aging brought mobility challenges and she realized that driving was no longer the best option for her, she decided to try the grocery shopping service offered by Hunterdon Helpline. Each week, she calls Hunterdon Helpline with a list of items that she needs, and then a volunteer shops for those items at ShopRite and delivers them directly to her home, often staying to chat for a bit. The shopper helps hand her items to be refrigerated and asks if there is anything else she needs help with. She looks forward not only to receiving her groceries, but also the brief time she and her shopper share. She describes the staff and volunteers as polite, kind and very reliable. Surrounded by lovely neighbors, good friends, and supported by Hunterdon Helpline’s services, she enjoys a sense of contentment and peace of mind and is deeply grateful; she doesn’t take that for granted.
Peg Hanna interviewed Joan. Peg has been a Volunteer Shopper with Hunterdon Helpline for 10 years and is a key member of Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Delaware Township, NJ. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is partnering with Hunterdon Helpline.
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