Joan J Verducci

Joan Verducci (nee Sena) of West Caldwell and formerly of Millburn, Chatham Township and Florham Park, entered into eternal rest surrounded by loved ones on June 23, 2024.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Joan graduated from West Side High School and Newark State Teachers College (Kean University), aspiring to mold young minds as an elementary school teacher. An exemplary teacher, her career was paused as she expanded her vocation to perform the fulltime duties of “Mom” to her four children and “Aunt” for nieces and nephews when they needed substitute care. Her teaching career spanned over 25 years and she retired from the South Orange-Maplewood School District to spend more time with her growing family including 10 grandchildren.

Joan was a devoted mother and grandmother and family was the center of her life. She hosted many a wonderful gathering where there was always enough food for anyone who showed up on her doorstep. Her outstanding cooking skills rivaled the best chefs which she modestly attributed to her own beloved mother and mother-in-law. Sunday morning the kitchen was filled with the aroma of garlic, oil, sausage and meatballs for family dinner. She taught her children to cook and freely shared family recipes with neighbors and friends and even expanded her talent beyond Italian food, learning to cook food from many other cultures. Her hot and sour soup, noodle pudding and Irish soda bread all became family favorites. She lovingly taught her granddaughters to make Knot cookies, calamari salad and Easter pies and those traditions will certainly live on.

Her innate nurturing skills were obvious in her ability to grow hardy basil plants from seeds (indoors) and she always had a pot of chicken soup cooking for anyone who indicated that they had the sniffles or weren’t feeling well.

Joan’s devotion to her husband was unparalleled. She was his biggest fan and cheerleader and spent many Saturdays supporting his coaching career, attending high school football games, a sport which she admittedly knew nothing about! Family was the center of her world and she did not hesitate to put everyone’s needs above her own.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Frank, her son, Frank Jr. (Josephine), her daughters Maria Florio (Perry), Joan Seery (Christopher) and Lynn Kowalskie (Robert), 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Thursday from 4-7pm.  Funeral on Funeral on Friday, assembling at the funeral home at 9am, followed by the funeral mass at Holy Family Church in Florham Park at 10am.  Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in E. Hanover. 

In lieu of flower, donations can be made in Joan’s name to the charity of your choice.

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