Joan Hourigan

Devoted wife and mother, beloved grandmother and great-grandmother, loving aunt, loyal friend, community volunteer, accomplished bridge player, and steadfast cheerleader for everyone she loved, Joan B. Hourigan was a treasured presence in the lives of many.

Born in Forest Hills, New York, to John A. and Elizabeth Bertrand, Joan grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, alongside her younger brothers, John and Robert. Joan attended St. Cecilia's High School, Class of 1951, graduated as valedictorian. She continued her education at the Katharine Gibbs School in New York City, graduating at the top of her class. She began her career working for a shipping and receiving company located in lower Manhattan.

Through her dear friend Joan Hourigan, she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Hourigan, then a teacher, housemaster, and track-and-field coach at The Lawrenceville School. Joanie B and Bill were married at St. Anastasia R.C. Church in 1954, beginning a partnership that would span more than seven decades.

After a brief stay in Philadelphia, Joan and Bill settled in Toms River in 1956. Together they built a life centered on family, friendship, and service. Joan and Bill became active members of the community and devoted parishioners of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. They raised four children, Teresa Neves, Mark Hourigan, Virginia Rich, and Thomas Hourigan. Joan often said that raising her children was the most important job she ever held, and she approached it with an unwavering belief in her children’s potential.

Joan devoted countless hours to her family's activities, attending an endless number of games, meets, practices, and events. Whether cheering from the sidelines, organizing schedules, insisting that homework be completed, or making sure everyone had what they needed, she was always there. Picnics at Bey Lea, trips to the beach, and ski trips that somehow included skis, boots, children, and luggage all packed into her enormous station wagon, she made ordinary moments memorable.

As her family grew, Joan's greatest joy became her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted in their accomplishments, celebrated their milestones, and offered each one her unique combination of encouragement, wisdom, and unconditional love.

Joan gave to her community by supporting numerous civic causes and was a dedicated volunteer for the Community Medical Center Foundation, serving for many years as co-chair of its annual Hospital Ball fundraiser. An accomplished bridge player, Joan achieved the distinction of Certified Master in duplicate bridge. She relished both the intellectual challenge and the camaraderie of the game, forming lasting friendships around the bridge table. Her sharp mind, competitive spirit, and sense of humor made her a favorite partner and formidable opponent. Joan was an avid reader whose curiosity never waned. Several books always could be found on her nightstand, and always at least one mystery novel. She and Bill also enjoyed many friendships built over the years on the tennis court and the golf course, both in Toms River and in Florida.

Above all else, Joan's greatest love was Bill and the family they made. Their marriage was marked by affection, loyalty, laughter, and deep companionship, and devotion to the end. They welcomed with joy their daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, and their families, and loved their ever-expanding family.

Joan leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, generosity, and family. She will be profoundly missed and remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many friends whose lives she touched. She is survived by her brothers John Bertrand and his wife Virginia, Robert Bertrand and his wife Alison. She is also survived by her four children: daughter Terry (Hourigan-Neves), son Mark and wife Lisa, daughter Ginny and her husband Michael L. Rich, and son Tom and his wife Nancy. She is also survived by eight grandchildren Steve Neves, Dave Neves (Lauren Schweitzer), Will Hourigan (Samantha), Mark Hourigan Jr. (Abby), Andrew Hourigan, Matthew Hourigan (Summerlyn), Michael J. Rich (Francesca), and Grace Hourigan, and great grandchildren Kayla Neves, Cara Neves, Logan Hourigan, Ava Neves, and Michael S. Rich, and many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joan was predeceased by her parents Elizabeth and John Bertrand, her parents-in-law Gladys and Bill Hourigan, and her husband’s siblings Richard Hourigan and Joan Gaillard.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 19, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River. The funeral liturgy will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River. Interment will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Community Medical Center Foundation would be appreciated.