Joann April née Cartmill, a cherished wife, mother, sister and grandmother, passed away peacefully March 22, 2025, at the age of 78 The Atrium in Red Bank.
Born May 29, 1946, in New York City to the late Evelyn and John Cartmill, Joann’s early life was filled with the adventures of an Army brat, moving from place to place and gathering a tapestry of experiences that would enrich her storytelling for years to come.
Joann’s heart found its anchor when she met Richard April, the love of her life. Their marriage was a testament to enduring love, spanning over 52 years of shared dreams and mutual support. The couple made their home in Rumson, where they lovingly raised their daughter, Lisa Maroney.
Joann’s family was the cornerstone of her life, and she took immense pride in her role as a wife and mother. Her brothers, Robert and Walter Cartmill, shared in the family’s closeness, and Joann’s joy was multiplied with the arrival of her two granddaughters.
Professionally, Joann was known for her warm presence at the Rumson Library, where she was not just an employee but a fixture in the community. Her passion for literature was infectious, and she considered herself incredibly fortunate to have spent many years surrounded by books, sharing her love of reading with patrons of all ages. Joann’s colleagues and the library’s visitors will remember her for her kind smile, her eagerness to recommend the perfect book, and her unwavering dedication to the library’s mission.
As family and friends bid farewell to Joann, they celebrate a life lived with grace, kindness and an unquenchable zest for knowledge. Her legacy is one of love, laughter and the pursuit of one’s passions. Joann’s memory will be treasured and kept alive in the stories she told and the lives she touched.
The April and Cartmill families wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Atrium for their compassionate care during Joann’s final days. Her presence will be profoundly missed, but the impact of her life will endure in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
The article originally appeared in the March 27 – April 2, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
