Joan Catherine Grimes

Joan Catherine (Draffin) Grimes passed away on September 25, 2023 after a long and valiant battle with Alzheimer’s. Mom has three surviving children, Ellen Romero and Patti Stratton in California, and Tom Grimes, Jr. in North Carolina. Mom's married grandchildren are Kenneth Stratton, Chivon Parli, and Brent Stratton in California; Diana, Richard, and Lisa in New Jersey. She was beloved Nanny to her great-grandchildren here in California, Jack and Andrew Stratton, Lucas and Veda Parli, and New Jersey Nicolette, Kyle, Richard, Jack, and Jessica. She was cherished by all who knew her, including an extended group of family and friends in both New Jersey and California. She is missed already, but we take great comfort in knowing she is now with her savior, Jesus, and her family and friends who preceded her in death, including her husband, Tom.

Joan was born at home in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey where she lived for the first sixty years of her life. After graduating from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York, she became a legal secretary. At that time, she was set up on a date with Tom by one of her friends from a local women’s club (who happened to be Tom’s sister!). When Joan told her mother about the date, she replied “Well, it’s not like you’re going to marry him” – and the rest was history. Joan proudly raised her three children and continued service work in the women’s auxiliary and the Catholic women’s guild. She also honed a love of creative pursuits, including sewing, crafts, painting, and coloring. Every year, she volunteered at Lincoln Elementary School in Ridgefield Park and was instrumental in the creation of their library. Her kind heart and quick wit were a benefit to everyone who knew Joan.

Eventually, Joan returned to work as a school secretary at her children’s school and later became secretary to the superintendent of the school district. This inspired both of her daughters to enter the field of education where they both found their own career path. Joan also loved to travel and to learn about historical accounts. Some of her favorite destinations included Washington DC, Williamsburg, Gettysburg, Williamsburg, and Saint Augustine. Travel even became a family affair when Joan was convinced to travel cross-country in a motorhome with her daughter, Patti, and Patti’s family visiting Yosemite, Bryce, Zion, and Lake Louise in Canada. She called it “the trip of a lifetime.”

Fun fact about Joan – she was so lucky! She won the lottery TWICE and sent the money to her grandkids.

After the passing of her husband, Joan decided to leave the cold New Jersey winters behind to live closer to family and enjoy some California sunshine. Her later years were spent with family, traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, and attending various birthday parties, weddings, and other holidays. Even as Joan’s health declined, she always had a smile and kind word for everyone she interacted with. Her love, talent, and giving spirit made all of us better people and we love and miss her dearly.