Joan Ritter Salem

Joan Ritter Salem, age 102, of Lakewood, New Jersey passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022. She was born in Trenton, NJ on September 25, 1920. She was predeceased by her parents Hermann R. and Florence R. Salem and her brother John D. Salem, His wife Jean D Salem. She is survived by her nieces Deborah J. Salem of Lovettsville, VA and Melissa (Salem) Taggart & Her husband Jeffrey Taggart of Reston, VA. Also their daughters Laura Taggart of Dover, NH and Elizabeth N. Taggart of Brooklyn, NY.

Joan was raised in Endicott, NY, where her father was an executive with Endicott - Johnson Shoe Corp. She had a happy childhood, attended Endicott Schools, graduating from Union-Endicott High School and continuing her education at Traphagen School of Fashion and Design in NYC.

Returning to Endicott, she was hired by IBM to do war work in the Naval inspection Department. Soon, after discovering her art background, she was transferred to the IBM lab in the industrial Design Dept. doing designing, Drafting and drawing.

After almost 10 years with IBM, Joan and a friend drove down the East Coast and then West to Dallas, Texas where where they found employment. Joan was hired by Magnolia Petroleum to work in the Geological Dept. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience but after 3 and a half years, she returned home & moved to New Jersey first in Westfield and landing in Garwood. She worked on the drafting board for different engineering companies in the area as a piping and instrument designer. She always enjoyed her work.

Joan's favorite company was C.F. Braun, a builder of chemical and Pharmaceutical companies and refineries. Based in California, she worked in their Coast Engineering Offices in Murray Hill, NJ. Their clients were worldwide which made the work exciting.

After working there for 17 and half years and a total of 42 years, Joan took an early retirement and moved to the original Leisure Village in Lakewood, NJ

During her Lifetime she traveled all over including the Caribbean and different states in the Us, including Hawaii.

She loved her home in Leisure Village where she was a long time member of the Art League and did many Paintings. She also did some volunteering at the Library and the Health Foundation's Annual food drive.

Joan was fortunate in having a beloved family and many dear friends all through her life

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DEliaFuneralHome.com for the Salem family.