Joanna (Power) Friel

Joanna Friel (Power), 83, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2018.  Joanna was born and raised in the village of Ballycullane, County Wexford, Ireland.  Joanna left Ireland in 1959 and first arrived in New York City, then took a nursing position in Newark, where she met her husband Michael (Sonny) Friel. They lived in Newark, then Bloomfield, and finally East Hanover, NJ, where she lived for the past 44 years. She worked many years as a private duty nurse, volunteered helping new immigrants learn to speak English, and was involved with Irish dancing. For many years, Joanna would travel back to Ireland each summer to spend a few weeks on her family farm, catching up with her many brothers and sisters over tea and brown bread, and walking the beaches at Duncannon and Fethard.

Beloved wife of the late Michael J. Friel, Jr.  Devoted mother of Noreen Buck, her husband Jerry, Eileen Padula, John Friel, his wife Margaret, Michael Friel, Brian Friel, his wife Mary Margaret, and Patrick Friel.  Loving grandmother of Kaitlin, Michael and Kevin, Daniel and Alison, Delia, Declan, Rory and Mary Kate.  Dear sister of Seamus, Liam, Sean, Eilis, Rose, Philomena, Kathleen, Bridget, the late Mary and the late Stasia.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home 210 Ridgedale Ave. Florham Park on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm.  Funeral on Wednesday assembling at 8:45am followed by a mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover at 9:45am.  Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sisters of Mercy and mailed to Brian Friel, 7311 Maple Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.  Mom’s sister Kathleen is a Nun in this order and they serve the elderly in Reiger Park, South Africa. 

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