Jo-Ann Verrier

Verrier, Jo-Ann Heilferty Jo-Ann was born in her beloved New York City in 1937 to Henry Blair Heilferty and Rose Massey Heilferty. Her mother and beloved Aunt Julia worked extra hours to ensure this “girl from the Bronx” had piano lessons and a matching coat and hat from B. Altman & Co., rode horses, and attended Mount St. Ursula Academy. At the Mount, she starred in several school plays, providing foundation for her life-long love of the theater. In 1951, Jo-Ann had a first date with John Verrier. Their enduring mutual love and respect led to many fine adventures. Together, they moved their growing family to Rockland County in 1963. A fiercely loving mother, Mom was always ready, with impeccable timing, to support and defend her seven children and to tell say, when necessary, “Buck Up, Cowboys.” She challenged all seven to be their best selves while having beach-loads of fun along the journey. Jo-Ann was very active in St. Gregory Barbarigo School and Parish. She was also the brains behind the J.A. Heilferty Company, Jack’s business, and the company’s success provided new avenues for her charity and adventurous spirit. In 1977, the family moved to Oradell, where she quickly became an inspiration to those in the St. Joseph’s Parish community and the Monday Night Prayer Group. She lived the Beatitudes and was active in the Social Concerns Committee and in Cornerstone. Jo-Ann also served ten years on the Board of Trustees at her beloved Academy of Mount St. Ursula, supporting the educations of new generations of AMSU graduates. Jo-Ann’s intelligence is legendary. As the mother of seven and with an incredibly busy volunteer life, she reignited her own love of education and the arts and took her college degree at Fordham University, receiving her BFA in 1987 summa cum laude at the age of 50. She continued with private acting lessons in Manhattan and would, at the drop of a hat, take off on a Wednesday afternoon and enjoy a Broadway matinee. Jo-Ann loved travel, especially if it involved a ship. When her grandchildren approached their mid-teens, she’d gather up a bunch and take them on a cruise. She crossed the Atlantic three times and traveled to Europe, Australia, and the Far East. She loved the US and drove cross-country twice. Indeed, she loved to drive anywhere and would happily and at spur of the moment start a long journey with nothing more than her driver’s license, the change she could find down the seats, and a good friend. Jo-Ann and Jack took many trips with their incredibly wide circle of friends: from 238th Street, Iona, Jack’s work, and Rockland and Oradell… And she loved the beach. From her childhood trips to Montauk and Jones Beach to her home in Seaside Park, Jo-Ann loved a sea breeze and the sound of children splashing in the waves. She created memories there, for many, and expressed that one of her greatest joys was to see how the next baby would respond to the ocean, recognizing their individuality while teaching them a love of nature and family. Jo-Ann’s broad definition of what family means, and her deep, resounding faith, created ripples of love felt by countless people. She was the wife who supported each new enterprise of her enterprising husband, always encouraging, always lending her good judgment, and always deeply proud. She was the mom who came when the grandchildren were born, making her famous pot roast – indeed, the mom who came to every birthday and every celebration (and occasionally made up celebrations just because…). She once made three college graduations in three different states in one weekend. She was the Gram and Gigi who loved unconditionally and by that love created a Cousinhood that is deeply, lastingly real. She was the sister and cousin who was always present with love and understanding. And she was the friend who taught all what friendship actually means. Jo-Ann believed that everything could be cured by a dip in the ocean; that even on their worst days, all people were simply God’s love alive; and that we are all here for one simple reason: to love well, and to be well-loved. She did, and she was. Jo-Ann was deeply loved by her family: her husband of 57 years, John Joseph Verrier; her seven children and their spouses, Jo-Ann Mary & Mark McGuire; Jeanne Marie & John Budka; Judy Anne & Krishna Guadalupe; Ellen Marie & Timothy Brello; Michele Marie & Charles Chiarello; John Joseph Jr. & Susan; Kristen Elizabeth & Leon Grebla; her 22 grandchildren, Lauren & Michael, Jillian & Dave, and Mick McGuire; Danielle & Jeff, Jaclyn, and John Stephen Budka; Isaiah, Elijah, and Rhia Guadalupe; Nicole and Michelle Brello; Mikayla, John Charles, and Daniel Chiarello; John Clifton, Samantha, Michael, and Cassidy Verrier; and Logan, Grayson, Fallon Jo-Ann, and Kai Mae Grebla; and her seven great-grandchildren, Jaden Budka and Angelina Fowler; Charles and Stella Koehler; Sydney and Jackson Nepola; and John Charles Verrier; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Henry & Rosemary and Robert & Lyn and their families; her sister- and brother-in-law Barbara & Richard Kemple and their family; and her dear cousins Julie and Michael and their family; and many cousins and cousins-in-law. Indeed, Jo-Ann was universally loved. Funeral service Friday 9:30AM from the Volk Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell. Then to St. Jospeh’s RC Church for a 10:30AM Mass of Christain Burial. Interment to follow at Ascension Cemetery. Family and friernds are invited to visit Wednesday 2-4PM & 6-9PM and Thursday morning 10AM-12 Noon & 6-9PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rose M. Heilferty/Jo-Ann H. Verrier Scholarship at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula, 330 Bedford Park Boulevard, Bronx, New York, 10458, or Villa Marie Claire Hospice, 12 West Saddle River Road, Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458, are most appreciated by the family.

Jo-Ann Verrier

January 18, 2015