Obituary courtesy Thompson Memorial Home
Joan Jackson Lucky, aged 76, passed away peacefully in her home on October 20.
Born to James William Jackson, and Miriam Monger Jackson on September 25, 1939, she was raised in Mt. Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Joan graduated from DePauw University in Indiana in 1961, then promptly married the love of her life, Robert Wendell Lucky, on August 19th of that same year. They moved to Fair Haven, where she was a popular second grade school teacher at Willow Street (Sickles) School in 1965.
Joan and Bob raised their two children, David William, and Karen Joan, right in Fair Haven. Joan considered raising their children to be her great calling and greatest achievement in life.
As a member and eventually President of the Junior League of Monmouth County, Joan founded several programs that are still thriving to this day. The League’s Library in their Rumson Headquarters is named in her honor.
For some years, Joan hosted and produced a half hour television show on Storer Cable, channel 8 entitled, “The Monmouth Journal with Joan Lucky,” that focused on special events, prominent visitors to the area, charities, and community events. She interviewed such prominent people as gubernatorial candidates, speakers including Dr. Lee Salk, ambassadors, and finally, Geraldo Rivera, which led to her position as the editor of the Two River Times People Page, a post she would hold for over 15 years.
During these years, Joan, accompanied by her trusty camera and sometimes reticent husband, attended almost every significant social event in Monmouth County, spotlighting their charitable efforts.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert Wendell Lucky, her son, David William Lucky and his wife, Kim, of Ridgewood, NJ, and her daughter, Karen Joan Lucky of Fair Haven, NJ.
Joan also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren — Megan, Shannon, Peter, Grace, and Lily, who adored their Grammy.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 29th, at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank from 2-4pm, and 7-9 pm.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 30th at noon at the United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad Street, Red Bank.
Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joan’s name to the Junior League of Monmouth County, 55 Center Street, Rumson, NJ 07760.
