Joan Charlotte Bates
Born in Wilkes Barre, PA, on November 24, 1942, Joan grew up surrounded by many cousins and looked back on that time of her life fondly. She attended Misericordia College, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. That year she moved to New Jersey and began her career teaching with the Woodbridge Board of Education, where she met her late husband, Thomas in the Fall of 1964. They married in 1966, and resided in Perth Amboy for a number of years before setting to Piscataway in 1972 where they raised their daughter, Rita. Joan retired from education from Hillsborough High School in 1996 after 30 dedicated years.
A strong woman, Joan enjoyed cooking and sewing. She also enjoyed hosting family holiday dinners in her home and spending time at the beach. She will forever be remembered for her lively personality and devotion to her daughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Matilda McHugh, her husband, Tom, who died in 1991, and her beloved sister, Jean Fioti; surviving are her daughter, Rita Thornton and husband Roger as well as her cherished granddaughter, Maggie. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and their families, whom she loved like her own, her cousins who remained her best friends, along with many friends who she cherished.
The world Joan knew
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