Plan for the Future
Joyce Stauss Otrisal, of North Andover MA, formerly of Chatham and Stirling NJ, passed away on January 1, 2025. She was 77.
Born in Jersey City to Elizabeth J. and Ernest J. Stapperfenne, Sr., Joyce grew up in Stirling and graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren. She then attended Rutgers University to receive her Tax Collectors Certification from the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services.
Joyce worked for Harding Township for over 25 years serving as Tax Collector, Tax Search Officer and Treasurer of the School District. She joined the Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association of Morris County in 1986 and served a 2-year term as President starting in 1993. She was a member of the Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association of the State of New Jersey (TCTANJ), becoming their Corresponding Secretary in 1994. She also joined the Chatham Historical Association in 1994 and was a member of Elks Lodge, Stirling, NJ No. 2392.
Joyce was currently a parishioner of St. Michael’s Parish in North Andover, MA, where she enjoyed knitting with her friends for newborns at the local hospital and had previously been a parishioner of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township where she taught CCD.
Joyce was the beloved wife of the late Joseph William Stauss and the late Joseph Steven Otrisal. She is survived by her son Joseph Stauss and his wife Theresa, their children Courtney and Kyle and their grandchildren Noah, Jordyn, Lia and Paityn; son Todd Stauss and his wife Kerry and their children Matthew and Abby; son Bryan Stauss and his wife Danielle and their children Sebastian and Lazlo; and son Tyler Stauss and his wife Holly and their child Elliott. She is also survived by her brother Ernest J. Stapperfenne, Jr. and sisters Lynn A. McDonald and Andrea Comerford. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Stapperfenne.
Joyce was very proud of her family which included two loving marriages, and she took great pleasure in watching her boys and their families grow up over the years. Joyce was unselfish, always putting others first and quick to help in any way possible. She had a love for traveling, appreciated the opportunity to explore new places with her husbands & friends and looked forward to spending time at the beach in Fort Myers, FL with her family. Joyce was very thankful for the warm welcome she received by so many at the Meeting House Commons community when she moved to Massachusetts and cared very much for the new friendships she made. She was a true animal lover and had a special place in her heart for her dog Meiling who she shared the last ten years. She enjoyed reading, playing games and sharing movie recommendations with her family.
Friends and family are invited to her visitation at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street in Chatham, NJ on Thursday, January 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at Corpus Christi Church, 234 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ beginning at 12 noon. Her committal service will take place at Fair Mount Cemetery, Fairmount Avenue in Chatham, NJ following the Mass. A remembrance mass will take place at St. Michael’s Parish in North Andover, MA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.
