Joan Irene Kartan

Joan Irene Kartan (nee Lowry), of Hillsdale, NJ and formerly of River Vale, NJ; surrounded by her beloved family, entered eternal life on Friday, May 26, 2023. Joan was born in Passaic, NJ on November 25, 1942. She was 80 years old.

She leaves her devoted daughter, Kimberly Cuffe and her husband Michael Cuffe of Hillsdale, NJ and her three cherished grandchildren, Amanda, Sean and Kevin Cuffe, and her dear daughter-in-law, Clarice Kartan of Burlington Flats, NY. Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank, and her loving son Donald Kartan in the past three years. She was also predeceased by her twin sister, Joyce (Abrams) and her parents, Irene (Carter) and James Kenneth Lowry.

Born and raised in North Arlington, NJ, Joan graduated from NAHS and was full of school spirit. She attended Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania with her twin sister, Joyce, and graduated from Upsala College in NJ with a bachelor’s degree in English Education. She was an English Teacher at West Kinney Junior High in Newark, NJ which later became West Kinney Alternative High School. Joan was one of the founders of the SOS Suspension on Site program for the alternative school funded by the Chubb Foundation. She worked there for over 35 years, motivating her students, and sharing her passion for reading and writing, before retiring. In her retirement she worked part-time for Dial America in Mahwah, NJ, as one of their top telemarketers.

Joan was a member of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church and in her younger days served on the Sunday School Education Committee. She was strong in her faith. The Lord is my Shepherd was her favorite Psalm and, In the Garden, her favorite hymn. She was an avid reader and could finish a book a day, enjoying all types of novels. She liked to draw and color and care for her plants. She loved to write poems and journaled for years. She played the piano and sang. She read the Bible each day.

Joan and her husband, Frank, and their family were summer residents of Ocean Grove, NJ for 30 years. They had fond memories of the historic Methodist seaside community. Joan and Frank met while Joan was doing her student teaching at North Arlington High School and Frank was a first year Math Teacher and later a school counselor. They raised their children, Kim and Don, in River Vale, NJ. In their retirement they enjoyed a few cruises, loved visiting LBI and watching their grandchildren’s sports games and overall, just spending time with family. Joan was a kind, loving soul who always tried to make people feel special and loved. She instilled a love of learning and reading in her children and grandchildren.

Donations can be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family will be holding a memorial service on Saturday, June 3 at 11 a.m. at the Hillsdale United Methodist Church, 349 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ.