Joan I. Gere

A native of New Jersey, she grew up in Elmwood Park, and graduated from East Rutherford High School. Joan earned her bachelor’s degree from Upsala College, and a master’s degree in education from Western Connecticut State University. She was a dedicated teacher specializing in English and remedial reading, and her long career included teaching in middle schools, high schools and vocational schools in New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois. She was an enthusiastic reader, often reading 3 or 4 books at a time, and she shared that joy with all of her students.

Joan was a devoted wife and mother, and was married to her childhood neighborhood sweetheart Bob for 52 years until his passing in 2016. She enjoyed traveling and exploring with Bob, and savoring trips to Europe, the Caribbean and throughout the United States, especially during their retirement. They both loved spending time on the beach with family, or boating to favorite spots on Pleasant Bay and to Jeremy Point in Wellfleet.

Joan was an avid and skilled gardener, who loved cultivating her flower beds and sharing the blooms. She was a Girl Scout Troop leader who led her troop on camping trips, cultural events and other adventures. She was an enthusiastic volunteer wherever help was needed, on everything from volunteer fire department auxiliaries, educational causes, neighborhood groups and her church. She was a self-taught oil painter who enjoyed painting landscapes from her favorite places, but especially Cape Cod. Joan was a wonderful cook, who could prepare anything from Polish and Hungarian specialties to seafood to traditional comfort food. She was an excellent baker, making wonderful pies with handpicked fruit, ornate birthday cakes, and specialty desserts. Her Christmas cookies were legendary, and her friends, neighbors and family were the beneficiaries of her talents, enjoying tins full of the delicious treats. As Bob and Joan moved from one community to the next over the years, they made new lasting friendships, starting book clubs, hosting dinner parties, and getting involved in church and other community groups.

One of the great joys in her life was being a mother and grandmother. She was a wonderful mother to her children, and devoted to her four grandchildren, and cherished spending time with them.

Mrs. Gere was a member of The Church of the Holy Spirt in Orleans, MA, and served the Episcopal Church in Belle Mead, NJ, Newtown, CT, Killdeer, IL and Spotsylvania, VA.

Joan was predeceased by her loving husband Bob. Survivors include two children Robin Bruckner (Andy) of Eastham, MA and Andy Gere (Nancy) of Santa Cruz, CA; four grandchildren Jillian Gere, Haili Bruckner, Bobby Gere and Dylan Bruckner; sister Janet Sharpe of Key West, FL; and two nieces and two nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m on November 11 at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Food 4 Kids Cape Cod, 204 Monument Rd, Orleans, MA 02653 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 in Joan’s memory.

Memories of Joan and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonfhorleans.com for the Gere family.