Joan Hamill Kearns

Joan Hamill Kearns, 90, of Basking Ridge, NJ, passed away on Thursday January 10, 2019, at Morristown Medical Center with her loving family by her side. Born in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Bridget ( Brennan) Hamill.  She also resided in Warren Twp. before moving to Basking Ridge.

Joan was very proud of her Irish heritage and the fact that her parents accomplished so much as immigrants. She was fluent in Gaelic, studied Irish history and visited Ireland many times.

She was a very accomplished ”handywoman” who hung drywall, built decks, laid tile and brought DIY to new levels.  Joan also worked as a successful realtor for many years at Weichert Realtors in Warren.

A devout Catholic, Joan was the Director of CCD at Our Lady of the Mount Roman Catholic Church for many years while her children were young.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Walter; her three sons Walter Joseph, Peter Sean and Michael Patrick and her sisters, Catherine Whatley and Ann Meyer. She is survived by her daughters Mary Kearns Gilroy (Martin) and Patricia Kearns Patterson (Chester “Buzz”); by her sister Dorothy Fitzgerald and Grandchildren Kelly, Chester, Briana, Sean, Katie and Liam.  She is also survived by her great grandchildren Sabrina and Michael and by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit the family on Sunday, January 13 from 2:00-6:00pm at the Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Ave in Dunellen. A mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 14 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Mount Chapel in Warren. Burial will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in South Plainfield. In leiu of flowers, please consider donations to the Valerie Center at Morristown Medical Center or Running Strong for American Indian Youth (indianyouth.org)

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