Plan for the Future
Joan Reynolds Irish, 93, of Morris Township, NJ & Vero Beach, Florida passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2024, surrounded by family. Joan was born in Plainfield, NJ on February 21, 1931 to Charles & Elizabeth Reynolds. Raised in Watchung, NJ, Joan attended Mount Saint Mary Academy from first grade until her high school graduation in 1948. In 1950, she received her associate degree from Colby Sawyer Junior College, and in 1952 she completed a B.S. degree from Syracuse University. She worked as a bacteriologist at Johnson & Johnson and then as a travel agent for American Express in New York City. In 1979 she became a real estate associate and worked for Burgdorff Realtors for 25 years. She loved real estate and all of the people she met and worked with, many of whom became her close friends.
In 1957, Joan married William Peter Irish, who predeceased her in January of 2018. They were happily married for 60 years. Together they raised five children, first living with their family in New Providence and then in Chatham Twp. and Bay Head, NJ. Survived by her children: P. Andrew Irish of Morris Twp., Lizanne Shi (Tommy) of Chatham Twp., Jody Farren (Clifford) of Point Pleasant, Bebe Burlingame (John) of Miami, FL and Anastasia Mondelli (John) of Morris Twp. She is also survived by 16 wonderful grandchildren, her brother Chuck Reynolds of Mantoloking, NJ and Vero Beach, FL, her sister Liz Matthews of Bedminster, NJ and sisters-in-law Elizabeth Keyser of Chicago, IL and Lila Reynolds of Morris Twp. and Vero Beach.
Joan was always active in her community. In her early years, she was a member of the Junior League of Morristown where she sustained that membership until her death. She was a lifelong learner who fiercely believed in education. Joan served on the school boards of Glen Kirk School in Morristown, Far Brook School in Short Hills and the Chatham Township Board of Education. She continued her community involvement by working for United Way and Habitat for Humanity in Vero Beach-volunteering at Habitat up until 3 weeks prior to her death. Joan served as treasurer for over 10 years for the Christian community at the Shrine of Saint Joseph, Long Hill Twp., NJ and treasurer for 8 years for the Interfaith Council for the Homeless Families of Morris County. She was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Church, Chatham NJ and Holy Cross Catholic Church Vero Beach, Florida. For many years, she was a eucharistic minister at church and also brought communion to those who could not attend mass.
Joan enjoyed golf, skiing, tennis, paddle, the beloved Bay Head beaches, and a quiet afternoon on the porch with the newspaper. Above all, though, Joan was devoted to Peter and her family. As a committed wife, mother, and grandmother, she constantly opened her home, and kitchen, to host family “dos” where she could spend quality time with those she cherished so deeply.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Indian River Habitat for Humanity, 4568 N US HWY 1, Vero Beach, Fla. 32967; https://www.irchabitat.org/. Or VNA & Hospice Foundation, 920 37th Place, #101, Vero Beach, Fla. 32960; https://vnatc.org/
