Joann Louise Battista

Joann Louise Battista, age 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2024, surrounded by the love of her grandchildren, after a long and fulfilling life marked by an unwavering devotion to her loved ones. All who knew her will deeply miss her radiant spirit, gift of gab, and the mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 12, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Louis C., Sr. and Jeannette C. (Mitkoski) Grau.

In 1957, Joann met and married the now-deceased Felix M. Battista. After several East Coast relocations, they eventually settled in Westfield, New Jersey, where they remained until 2020 when they moved to Basking Ridge to be closer to their grandchildren. 

Joann, affectionately known as “Mema” to her grandchildren and as “JoJo” to her nieces, loved an adventure.  She was the Queen of the Casino and quick to jump into the car for a road trip to visit family.  Her radio was always tuned to 106.7 Lite FM and she religiously drank instant coffee with Coffeemate.    

But her true love was that for her grandchildren.  She was fiercely protective, often calling the moment she noticed “too many cops handing out tickets.”  And up until her very last days, she could not hang up the phone until she reminded them to call her if they needed anything.  She was supportive, generous, and just a little bit of a bruiser; they adored her beyond any expression of words and her absence will leave a hole in their hearts that can never be filled.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her five siblings, Irene Amici, June Bain, Louis Grau, Pat Taylor, and Margaret Robibara.

She leaves behind her daughter Felicia Minarchi and her husband Chris of Whiting; grandchildren Matthew Rifino and his wife Melissa of Long Valley, Jana Berthel and her husband Peter of Basking Ridge, Giancarlo Rifino of Basking Ridge;  honorary grandson Vincent Rifino and his wife Annie of Branchburg; great-grandchildren Jameson, Belle, Jones, Ellis, and Genevieve; and many nieces and nephews whom she treated like her children, including Irene Furtado, Cecilia Murphy, Robin Flores, Sherry Furtado and Kenny Furtado. 

Visitation will be held at Sheenan’s Funeral Home, Dunellen, NJ, on Tuesday, January 7th from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. The funeral service will begin at 12:00PM. The interment will follow in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, help us carry on Mema's legacy by giving to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

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