Joyce “Joy” Callinan passed away peacefully June 30, 2025, after a remarkable 25-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 67 years old.
Born March 10, 1958, and raised in Middlesex, Joyce embodied her name in every sense, bringing joy, kindness and laughter to everyone she met. From a young age, she was a leader and trailblazer, becoming the first female student class president at her school and excelling as a multisport athlete. On the basketball court, she was known by the nickname “Jabbar” for her unstoppable hook shot that no one could touch. She graduated from the College of New Jersey with a degree in teaching and immediately began teaching students with special needs.
A gifted and passionate educator, Joyce dedicated nearly three decades to teaching in New Jersey’s public schools, including in New Providence, Belmar, Ocean Township and Union Beach. She taught with heart, humor, and deep compassion, especially in her work with special needs students and those in middle school. In 2005, she was honored as Teacher of the Year in Union Beach, an award that reflected her profound impact on the countless lives she shaped. She took particular pride in supporting the Special Olympics and her brother Paul by volunteering for numerous events and celebrating his many achievements.
Joyce had a deep love for music – especially the voices of Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston – and a magic for turning ordinary days into unforgettable memories. She was a devoted, loving mother who attended every baseball and basketball game her sons played, always cheering with a voice and a smile that could reach across any field or court.
As her children and family grew, Joyce remained a constant source of love and acceptance, embracing everyone who entered her life with warmth and open arms. She adored her son’s partner Dan and their dog Ollie. Even as her physical abilities changed, she continued to celebrate every family milestone with a pure, unwavering kindness of heart.
Joyce is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Kevin Callinan; her sons, Patrick and Bob; her beloved mother Anna Butera; her sister Joann; and her brothers, David, Mike and Paul. She also leaves behind her extended family, dear friends, former students, and colleagues, many of whom carry a part of her joyful spirit with them today.
A funeral service will be held in the late summer in Middlesex, where her journey began. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to find an end to this harrowing disease.
Joyce was joy. She was love. She was laughter. And she will be missed every single day.
The article originally appeared in the July 10 – 16, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
