A resident of Old Tappan for over 45 years, she was born in Teaneck, New Jersey on September 27th, 1935, a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Britting. Joan was a doting older sister to Sandra (Victor) Clark. They shared a beautiful bond that was evident to anyone who knew them. She was a fiercely devoted and caring daughter to her parents. Caring especially for her mother Elizabeth, known as Freda, until the end of her life showering her with love up to her final moments.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Bruce Lorenze Kirchenheiter. She was a doting mother to their children Bruce (Lisa) Kirchenheiter of Park City, Utah and Linda (John) Payne of Warwick, NY. Married on January 29th, 1955, Joan and Bruce created a beautiful love story filled with their dedication to God and their church, family events, lavish dinner parties, exotic travel and quiet nights at the Jersey Shore. Stories for their families to cherish and retell for generations. Their passion for life and each other lasted until their last days together.
Joan was preceded in death by her second husband, Robert Lalevee of Riverdale, New Jersey. Having been high school classmates, their relationship was rekindled at their 50 Year High School Reunion. Both widowers of their first loves, they found comfort and solace in each other's company and grew to love one another deeply. They married on June 26th, 2004. Robert passed away on March 28th, 2020 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.
Joan was the definition of a social butterfly, keeping a close knit group of friends since high school (where she was proudly awarded the Senior Superlative of “Smallest Waist”). Her friends were so numerous, that she owned an extensive number of folding tables to attach to her dining sets for dinner parties. There was always room at her table for one (or ten) more.
Joan was a true gourmand. Cooking lavish meals, cakes and cookies for friends and family alike. Everyone looked forward to a trip to her home, as they knew what delight awaited their palates.
Joan’s light transcended humanity and shone brightly on animals all around her. Whether it be a dog that hopped into her car on the highway, a beautiful parakeet that magically landed on her windshield wiper in a rainstorm, countless ducks and cats that made their way to her - all becoming lifelong pets. They seemed to flock to her for care, love and protection...as we all did.
Of all of her accomplishments, the true jewels in her crown were her grandchildren, and more recently her great grandchildren. She is survived by Sarah (Michael) Nocerino, Robert Kirchenheiter, Thomas (Haleigh) Kirchenheiter, and Taylor Payne. Joan dedicated her later life to bringing smiles to the faces of her grandbabies. She spent countless hours making pancake breakfasts, building sand castles on the beach, baking their favorite birthday cakes from scratch, doing puzzles, taking easy sunday morning bike rides and softly tracing the lines of their faces with her fingers until they fell asleep...until they were all much to old to admit it. She found great joy taking trips to Park City, Utah to spend time with her grandsons in the natural beauty of their home state. In the last years of her life she was blessed with two beautiful great-grandchildren, Isla and Max Nocerino, who loved her dearly.
Due to the unfortunate state of the world today, we will be celebrating Joan’s amazing life at a later date to be announced to all of her family and friends. A private burial will take place on April 22nd, 2020 at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Paramus where she’ll be laid to eternal rest next to her beloved husband Bruce.
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