Joan Spinelli, 85, of Middletown, peacefully completed her earthly journey Sept. 29, 2022, at home with family at her side. Joan was born in Englewood and spent her early years in Englewood Cliffs with her parents, the late Stephen and Lucy Gardiner, and her beloved sister Nancy Mead.
After high school, in 1958, Joan graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing. Joan then met the love of her life and was married in 1960 to Pascal (Pat) Spinelli. The happy couple moved to Hazlet and started their family before moving in 1968 to their present home in Middletown.
Joan was an exceptional pianist. Early in her studies she was recorded live at Weill Recital Hall, part of Carnegie Hall in Manhattan. At home Joan seemingly shook the house on her modest upright piano, playing her favorite piece, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Joan enjoyed working tirelessly as a softball coach, Cub Scout leader and team mom for her children’s activities and was their biggest cheerleader.
After raising her children, Joan completed her bachelor’s degree from Upsala College and in 1982, founded Monmouth County High School Task Force on Drinking and Driving. Upon retirement in 2005, the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners declared July 21, 2005, “Joan Spinelli Day.”
Surviving are Joan’s devoted husband of 62 years, Pat; sister Nancy Mead of Bluffton, South Carolina (the late Woody Mead); daughter Diane Orlando of Seaville (Tom); son Capt. Stephen Spinelli of Wall (Kathleen Osborne) and his daughter Casey; and son Phillip J. (PJ) Spinelli of Leonardo (Denise) and their sons, Robert and John.
A memorial service will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. Funeral services will be held during those hours.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Joan’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.
The article originally appeared in the October 6 – 12, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
