Obituary of Joan V. Wade

Joan V. Wade

Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother

Joan Veronica (Molloy) Wade of Alton Bay, N.H., and Clinton, N.J. -- a wife of 63 years, the mother of eight, grandmother of 20 and great-grandmother of four -- entered eternal rest on Saint Patrick’s Day, a day of strong family heritage that will forever be used to celebrate her 84 years of life and memories.

Born and raised in Bayonne, N.J., Joan graduated from Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea grammar school and Holy Family Academy, where she was a star basketball athlete. She also served as drum major of the Saint Vincent’s Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.

The daughter of Andrew and Veronica (Sullivan) Molloy, Joan met her husband, Bob, in high school, married him in 1955, and they moved to Roselle, N.J., in 1956 to start their family.

Joan was an active member of parent organizations at Saint Joseph’s The Carpenter grammar school and Roselle Catholic and Girls Catholic high schools. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Knights of Columbus Council 3946, and a member of the Saint Joseph’s Rosary Society. In addition, Joan co-founded and served as past president of the Suburban Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club in the 1960s.

Bob’s job took them to Clinton, N.J., in 1983.

She later spent many years accompanying her husband on his mission as an officer of the Knights of Columbus (K of C) Supreme Council, meeting Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, Presidents George H. and George W. Bush, among other luminaries. For the K of C role, the couple moved to North Haven, Conn. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Alton Bay, N.H., while maintaining a residence in Clinton.

A self-taught seamstress and expert knitter, Joan often made childhood clothes for her children, and many still wear the complicated Irish sweaters she knitted. In addition, she knitted caps for use under the helmets of the U.S. military and combat troops to keep them warm and avoid irritation from the helmet protection. She also knitted caps for pediatric hospitals to use for children of premature birth and for youngsters battling cancer. Often, she worked to provide caps through several charity organizations, including Happy Hats & More, Inc.

Joan’s life-long focus was her family. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children: Robert (Mary) of Cranford, N.J., Kevin (Mary) of Williamsburg, Va., Donald (Erin) of Latham, N.Y., Cathleen Mulcahy (Raymond) of Milford, N.J., Colleen Yorke (Patrick) of Edison, N.J., Brian (Kristin) of Easton, Pa., Joan Carroll (Andrew) of Washington, N.J., and Dennis (Keri) of Gorham, N.H. She was pre-deceased by a brother, Eugene, and is survived by a sister, Janet Cotter of Bayonne.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet Joan's family on Friday March 23, 2018 from 4:00 pm until 8:00pm at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ 08809. A mass of Christian Burial will be offer on Saturday March 24th at 10:00am at Immaculate Conception Church 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale NJ, 08801 Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Paul Bootkoski.

For further information or to send condolences to the family please visit www.martinfh.com