Joyce Robertson, 71, of Highlands, passed away peacefully July 15, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born in Kearny to the late Walter and Leah Schermond. Joyce worked in quality assurance with Kessler-Ellis products for many years.
Dancing and crafting brought Joyce immense happiness. She always found time to be a “good neighbor,” generously helping those in need. Joyce was a pillar of her community. Her days were filled with volunteering at her children’s school and in her town. As the PTO president, she brought her community together. She also was a cheerleading coach and softball coach for many years, encouraging young girls on all of her teams. But her biggest role in the community was ensuring the safety of the children in her town. Every day, rain or shine, she would stand at the crosswalk of Our Lady of Perpetual Help school, making sure every student arrived and went home safely.
Most of all, Joyce loved spending time with her family and her adoring seven grandchildren. They were her pride and joy.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Reggie Robertson (2015) and her sister, Leah Varn (2023).
Joyce is survived by her three children, Melanie Robertson (James), Reggie Robertson (Tara) and Rebecca Shaheen (Michael); four siblings, Walter Schermond (Kathy), George Schermond, Roger Schermond and Doris Neal; and seven grandchildren, Anthony, Hailey, Hannah, Jack, Huntyr, Bryelle and Easton.
Visitation was July 23 and a celebration of life prayer service was held July 24 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Interment followed at the Brigadier William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.
Please visit Joyce’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the July 1 – 7, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
