Joanne Wask

Joanne was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 2, 1947, to Joe and Grace Pierro. She later moved to Palisades Park, where she grew up with her two older sisters, Terry and Annette. In 1965 she graduated from Cliffside Park High School where she met her future husband, Craig Wask, on the first day of Junior year.

Soon after graduating she finished secretarial school and worked for Porsche/Audi. Joanne and Craig married on March 16, 1968, when he returned from Vietnam, ultimately finding a small house that was just enough in Bergenfield. She raised three children in Westwood: Brian ('74), Bret ('76), and Ariana ('81), and has two beloved daughters-in-law, Milinda and Shannon. Most importantly, she is “Mimi” to five adoring grandchildren: Tea, Carter, Kiara, Kacey and Dillon. Joanne and Craig were married for 57 years.

In her forties, her passion for shopping landed her with a retail position at the Gap in Westwood. She loved helping people shop so much, she repeatedly turned down offers to move into management. After 25 years on the sales floor she retired, eventually moving to Lacey Township. The beach wasn’t far and she loved a cold drink and a good tan.

Joanne will be remembered for being the first person to dance, two maybe three Cosmopolitans, and for offering a few words reminding you everything will be okay. She loved her family and her friends and they were lucky to love her back.

In lieu of flowers, hug your family and dance. Please consider making a contribution in Joanne’s memory to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation of the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 28th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Becker’s Funeral Home, located at 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ 07675.