Joan Marie Casazza, 81, of Holmdel, passed away peacefully Nov. 12, 2022. She was born in Olean, New York, to the late Francis J. and Justina Slavin.
Joan was a career music teacher, starting in the public school system and retiring as a private teacher. She was a music enthusiast, playing many instruments over her life, and would often break out singing wherever she was and whomever she was around. Her passion was playing the piano, singing at holiday events. She was a longtime member of the church choir.
She was an avid Yankees fan and rarely missed a game. She was a master bridge player and enjoyed playing other card games for fun. In her younger years, she was a competitive tennis player and bowler, enjoyed traveling, and being outdoors.
Most of all, Joan simply enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Joan is survived by her three sons, Stephen and his wife Stephanie, Christopher and his wife Donna, and Mark and his wife Patti Ann; their father Dennis A. Casazza; two brothers, Francis “Buzz” Slavin and Robert Slavin and his wife Geri; two sisters, Judith Ballak and Liz Conese and her husband Pat; five grandchildren, Kyle, Michael, Matthew, Laura and Andrew; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joan was predeceased by her longtime partner Ken Clark.
Visitation was Nov. 16 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at St. Catherine’s R.C. Church in Holmdel. Interment will immediately follow at the Holmdel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at nationalmssociety.org.
Please visit Joan’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the November 17 – 23, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
