Joan M LaMonica

January 24, 2022

Joan M. La Monica (89) of Oradell, NJ passed away peacefully at home on January 24 surrounded by her family and long-time companion and caregiver. Joan was the beloved wife of her late husband Frederick La Monica and the devoted mother of Susan La Monica Pash and her late husband, Robert Pash. Born November 24, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY, Joan was the daughter of the late Angelo and Matilda Gerbolini and sister of the late Frank Gerbolini. Joan grew up with a love for family and friends and a devotion to her community and her faith. Joan was caring, kind and thoughtful, always putting the needs of others ahead of herself. She was a dear friend to many and a true role model in living a life of Christian values. She graduated from Katherine Gibbs School and then later earned her associates degree from Bergen Community College. She started her career at IBM and retired in 2001 from Burns and Roe where she served as an assistant to the Roe family. Joan excelled at anything she did and showed great resolve and determination throughout her personal and professional life. She was married in 1959 to Fred and, shortly after, left city life behind to put down roots in Oradell where she lived for 62 years. Joan loved Oradell and developed lifelong friends with whom she shared many wonderful and often silly memories. Joan was a woman of many talents. She loved to entertain family and friends and had a real flare for style. She was very creative, and her house is adorned with many of her artistic projects. Joan was devoted to her community and was involved in many organizations that benefited the town and her parish, St. Joseph’s, in New Milford. But her greatest joy was supporting her daughter, Susan, in all that she did throughout her life. She was especially proud of her three grandchildren and enjoyed fully participating in all their activities as children and adults. Joan faced innumerable challenges in her later years and displayed grit and courage as she overcame hurdles with optimism and a warm smile. It was in handling these challenges that she imparted some of the greatest lessons to all those that knew her. Joan is survived by her daughter Susan and grandchildren, Brian and wife Jackie, Jennifer, and Julia. The family will be receiving friends from 10:30 AM to 11 AM at the Church of the Presentation, 271 W. Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle River. A mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 am. You may access the Mass via livestream at www.churchofpresentation.org/funeral-ministry/. Internment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations in Joan’s name may be made to The Villa Marie Claire, 718 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck NJ 07666.