Joan B. Kelly

Joan Bennett Kelly, of Pompton Plains, NJ, formerly of Suffern, NY, sadly passed away on September 2, 2026. She was predeceased by her parents, Beryl Ethel Williams Bennett and William Edward Bennett; her beloved sister, Barbara; her husband, Charles Kelly; and her first husband, Ira F. Wickes, Sr.

She is survived by her three children and their families: John (Susan) Wickes, Jim (Kristi) Wickes, and Jennifer (Neal) Ullman; her grandchildren, Kayla, Danielle, Sara, Daniel, Bryan, Hanna, Samantha, and Stephanie; and her great-grandchildren, Parker and Kinsley.

Joan grew up with her sister in Endicott, NY, where, among her many activities, she was a cheerleader and an honor student at Union-Endicott High School. She continued her education at Albany State College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. After graduation, she moved to Suffern to teach math at Suffern High School.

Once she had children, Joan continued her love of education by joining and leading numerous PTAs, starting the “World of Work” program at Suffern High School, and serving for many years as a member of the Suffern School District Board of Education. After raising her children, she became a financial planner. In her later years, Joan started and facilitated many Bible study groups and, at the age of 82, became a fitness instructor, teaching “Better Bones” to members of her Cedar Crest community.

Joan lived with energy, curiosity, courage, humor, music, and an extraordinary capacity for devotion. She loved deeply and loyally. She served her schools, churches, and communities. She sang, played, taught, volunteered, skied mountains, and crossed lakes. She cheered from the sidelines, sat in audiences, opened her home, and showed up for the people she loved.

Joan’s family was the great joy of her life. She had the extraordinary gift of seeing her family grow across four generations and treasured the time they spent together. The traditions she and Charlie created, particularly at Red Sails, their house on Lake Bomoseen in Vermont, became a cornerstone of the family’s strength.

Joan’s family will remember her voice, her music, her fierce loyalty, her boundless energy, her love for Charlie, and the depth of her devotion to her family. They will remember generations gathered at Red Sails, days spent on the lake, and evenings when everyone stopped to watch the Vermont sky change color.

And perhaps they will hear, somewhere in those memories, Joan and Charlie singing “Red Sails in the Sunset” together as the sun slips below Lake Bomoseen.

Her family takes comfort in the faith by which Joan lived her life and in the promise at the heart of that faith. The Savior whom Joan loved, trusted, and followed throughout her life has now called her home.

A wake celebrating Joan’s life will be held at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home in Suffern, New York, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Joan’s life and faith will be held at the Cedar Crest Chapel in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. A repast will follow immediately after the service.

Contributions may be made to All Souls Community Church in Suffern, NY.