Obituary of Joan B. D'Elia

D'Elia, Joan Bertha (nee Matraxia), 82, of Lakewood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 25, 2017. Joan grew up in Jersey City and attended Dickinson High School, where she met and married her husband of 63 years, Anthony P. D'Elia. They lived and raised their two chidren, first in Jersey City and later in North Arlington. Upon his retirement as a teacher and schoool principal, they moved to Four Seasons Retirement Community in Lakewood, where she volunteered her services as women's exercise leader and coordinated a Women's Poker Club. Joan is survived by her husband; by her children, Judge Anthony V. D'Elia & his wife, Elinor and Lynn C. Johnson & her husband, Wayne, and by her four grandchildren, Kyle Black Smith, Deanna Johnson, Sofia Black D'Elia and Alissa Johnson. She is also survived by her beloved brother, Vincent Matraxia & his wife, Rosemary. Joan enjoyed and treasured life, laughs and family more than anything. She was always a bundle of smiling activity from her cheerleading activities in high school, through her planning and leadership in conducting social activities, and her love and participation in trips, parties and dancing with her grandchildren. Some of her closest and happiest times were the hours she spent organizing and playing card games with her friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation held at Nazare Memorial Home, Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, NJ on Wednesday, June 28th and Thursday, June 29th from 4 - 8 PM. All will gather at the funeral home on Friday, June 30 at 10 AM then to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington where at 11 AM a funeral mass will be offered. Cremation Private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan's memory to gumafoundationinc.org.