Joan F. Dondero

Born Joan Ann Pollukis on May 30, 1941, in Shaft, Pennsylvania, she was the youngest of five siblings: Eleanor, Clarence (Clemmy), Florence, and Marion born to hardworking Lithuanian parents.

Her mother, Della Pollukis was a homemaker and her father John (Spike) Pollukis, was a coal miner in the anthracite region of the Shenandoah Valley. She grew up in a patriotic small-town America where neighbors knew each other, church mattered, and life was simple but rich in character. Joan was part of the last graduating class of West Mahanoy Township High School, earning the nickname “Cookie” — a fitting, poetic detail for someone who always seemed to carry both endings and beginnings with grace.

After high school, she moved to Queens, New York, to live with her sisters and begin her own adventure. She worked for the New York Telephone Company for 11 years, rising from remittance clerk to supervisor while taking night classes and building a future. It was in New York that she met Alan Dondero. They married and eventually settled in Westwood and then Township of Washington, New Jersey, where they raised their three children: Russell, Denise, and Danyon.

Joan later worked for the Borough of Montvale, where she issued marriage and death certificates — quietly standing at the intersection of life’s biggest moments.

But more than her résumé, Joan will be remembered for her spirit.

She was truly one of a kind — silly, eclectic, expressive, loud when she wanted to be, and full of sparkle. A true gem and a true Gemini. She loved to dance, laugh, scream “nooooooo!” at the top of her lungs with excitement, explore life, eat good food, and celebrate its little pleasures. She adored trips to Kmart, where she shopped till she dropped, manicures and getting her nails done, Lithuanian festivals, visiting Pennsylvania, getting crazy tattoos,exploring the restaurants around town, and any excuse to gather with family. You’d never come up short seeing her stop to talk to random strangers — complimenting them, telling them a story, occasionally hitting on them, and then going about her day. She even considered herself to be a bonified “Senior Cougar”. She loved people and had a zest for connection and the simple magic of everyday life.

Her faith in God was unwavering. A proud Catholic and CCD teacher, Joan carried a personal and expansive relationship with the Divine. She knew God as a partner in life, a guiding force, and spoke about Him like a close friend. Her faith sustained her through unimaginable loss, including the passing of her beloved son, Danyon, at age 18. Through grief, she leaned into God, and her belief never wavered. She spoke often of Him, trusted deeply, and lived anchored in that trust.

Being a grandmother was one of her greatest joys. Her “World’s Best Machuite” shirt was worn proudly — and accurately. She poured love, humor, and presence into her grandchildren’s lives, creating memories filled with laughter, color, and warmth.

Joan passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, resilience, humor, and expansive, embodied love.

Joan was loved by so many.

She was preceded in death and welcomed gracefully into Heaven by her parents; her brothers and sisters; her beloved son, Danyon Dondero; the father of her children, Alan Dondero; her grandchildren’s beloved grandfather; her best friend, Andrea Robertson; and her spiritual son, Alcino Dias.

She is survived by her loving children, Denise Codner and Russell Dondero; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Dondero; and her son-in-law, Gary Codner.

She is also lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews, as well as her grandnieces and grandnephews.

Joan also remained close with members of the extended Dondero family, including Sonia Dondero, Connie Dondero, and Connie’s son, Nicky, who remained dear to her throughout the years.

She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Adriana Dias, Jasmine Dondero, Aaron Dondero, and Ariella Dondero; her bonus grandchild, Charley; and her spiritual daughter, Pattie Robertson.

She is reunited now with those who went before her, embraced in the Divine love she trusted so completely. Though her physical presence will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the laughter she inspired, the faith she modeled, and the joy she insisted on finding in everyday life.

Her family invites all who knew her to honor her by living boldly, loving loudly, laughing often, and trusting in God — just as she did.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Visitation will be held at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ 07675, on March 9, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, 668 Ridgewood Rd, Township of Washington, NJ 07676, on March 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.