Joan Mary Matejka

Joan Mary (Hedden) Matejka, 77, of Burlington, NC, formerly of Hazlet, NJ, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2011 at Jersey Shore Medical Center after a year long illness. Joan was born January 11, 1934 in East Orange, NJ, the daughter of the late Irvin W. and Mae Hedden. Joan was raised in Irvington and resided in Hazlet from 1959 to 1995. Joan was a communicant of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg, NJ. She was an executive secretary for Flaherty Filter Fabrics, Newark; People’s National Bank, Keyport; and Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Joan was a loving wife, dedicated mother of five children, and devoted grandmother. She was an avid mahjong player, and will be remembered by all who knew her for her devotion to all Nature’s creatures including the special spot in her heart for Pomeranians. Joan loved the ocean and the NJ shore and spent many wonderful summers on Long Beach Island with her family.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Alex R. Matejka, and her beloved brothers Irvin P. and Walter Hedden. She is survived by her sister, Arlene Harlfinger of Ship Bottom, NJ.

Joan is survived by her five children, sons: Alex J. Matejka, Neptune, NJ; Kevin Matejka and wife Donna, Hazlet, NJ; Roger Matejka, Burlington, NC; Brian Matejka and wife Cervera, Belleville, IL; and her daughter Cindy Matejka, Neptune, NJ; seven grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A mass will be offered 10 am Saturday April 30 at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, Manahawkin. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Manahawkin. Thomas L. Shinn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or The Humane Society.