Joy H. Richards

She was born on September 16, 1931 in Jamaica, West Indies. Emigrated to the United States; attended Seton Hall and met her soulmate Newton M. Richards.

A devoted wife, fierce mother and grandmother. As a devout catholic, she worked tirelessly and selflessly to champion the causes and pursuits which help lift the lives of others. She began her career teaching in the Newark Catholic School system; became recognized, and was recruited in the Newark Board of Education where she spent the balance of her life. Always in the pursuit of excellence as an educator she obtained her Masters at NYU, which with hard work and devotion to her students she received a Merit Award for her devotion and excellence. Unceasing in her commitment to children she quietly entered the Newark political scene to assist in recruiting a new superintendent for the betterment of the children and city.

After retiring she came full circle and reentered the catholic school system to continue paving a path for others on which they could aspire.

In her personal life, family and close friendships meant everything to her; which she nourished until the end. Her passions were travel and gardening; and the latter is embodied in her country home that she and her husband transformed from an old dairy farm into the garden of “ Wind Whistle.”

Joy is survived by her husband, Newton M. Richards; her daughter, Carol A. Richards; sons, John E. Richards, Patrick A. Richards (mailto:[email protected]); and grandson, Stanley E. Richards.

Her favorite saying “ Do Good and Be Good”

A Visitation for Joy will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, 50 Short Hills Ave, Short Hills, NJ 07078, with a Funeral to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at 12:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery & Mausoleum, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936.

Donations to the church of education are welcome.