Joan A. Hatton

Joan was born on May 22, 1943 in Elizabeth to Stephen and Anna Juran. She attended school in Elizabeth and graduated from Battin High School in 1960.

Joan married Robert “Bob” F. Hatton in 1961; they were married for over 50 years until Bob’s passing in 2016. They had three children and raised their family in Elizabeth. Joan spent many weekends and summers traveling, camping, boating and crabbing with her family. Weekend trips to Sandy Hook with the kids left her with fond memories that she often shared with friends and strangers alike. She even rescued a stray dog at the beach and named her “Sandy.”

Joan worked for Union Hospital for 37 years, where she began her career as a switchboard operator, later transferring into Payroll, Benefits, and eventually a position in Human Resources until her retirement. Joan never took a sick day during her tenure. Joan was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Elizabeth, and also dedicated many hours to supporting her husband’s involvement in several organizations, such as Boy Scout Troop #4, the Marine Corps League, and St. Mary’s Holy Name Society.

After her retirement, Joan enjoyed travelling with her husband Bob and sister Rose; tending to her gardens and many plants; and spending time with her grandsons, Stephen and Michael, and her great-granddaughter, Pandora. Playing Mrs. Claus alongside her husband as Mr. Claus was an annual tradition that brought her much joy. This tradition exemplified her giving personality, Christmas spirit, and love for the holidays.

Joan saw the good in everyone and embraced people for who they were, without judgment. “Mom” was a title she proudly accepted from “kids” other than her own. She was known for her quick wit, wicked sense of humor, and the uncanny ability to interject random song lyrics into any conversation. She loved animals and never turned away the many strays that found their way into her home, including dogs, cats, tortoises, rabbits, canaries, and many more.

Joan is survived by her sister Rose Marie VanDeventer (of Elizabeth), her children, Hope Lee Hatton (of Hawaii), Robert W. Hatton and his wife Tracy (of the Poconos), Joy Lynn Schmitz and her husband Richard (of Oklahoma), and grandsons Stephen and Michael Hatton, and great-granddaughter Pandora Hatton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Designation: Cancer Center, in her memory. Donation Link:

www.rwjbh.org/trinitas-regional-medical-center/giving/donate-now/

Visitation will be held at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint Georges Ave, Linden, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral on Friday, March 6, 2026, 9:00 am from the funeral home.

Funeral mass St. Mary of the Assumption RC Church, Elizabeth, 10:00 am.

Interment Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.