Dolores "Joan" (Cervencik) Cleffi

Rockaway: Joan Cleffi, 91, of Rockaway, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026.

She was born on October 25, 1934 in Dover, NJ, to John and Mary Cervencik. She grew up in Wharton and graduated from Wharton High School in 1952.  In 1952 she married the love of her life Willard “Bill” Cleffi, and on April 30, 2026 Bill and Joan celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary.

Joan became a waitress at a very young age and worked at her Uncle Pete’s Diner in Dover.  She then moved on to waitress at Three Sisters Restaurant also in Dover for 32 years, before becoming an Administrative Assistant at Picatinny Arsenal, she retired in 1993. After retirement Joan taught Healthy Bones at Denville Community Center in her seventies.  She was invited to attend an awards ceremony in NYC and was presented with an award from Billie Jean King.

Joan enjoyed walking, dancing, crocheting but her love was for cooking and baking.  She loved nothing more than to cook and bake for her family and friends. She was famous for her homemade pancakes and healthy cookies. Joan loved to entertain and was always first to the party and last to leave.

She was predeceased by her sister Janet Szalkowski.

She is survived by her loving husband Bill of 74 years, her children; Cheryl McPhail (late Don), William Cleffi (Debbie), Todd Cleffi (Christine) and Gina Schaefer (Rob). Her beloved grandchildren (8), Kyle Cleffi (Andrea), Janel Jones (Kevin), Matthew Cleffi (Andrea), Corina Cleffi, Casey Cleffi, Rebecca Cleffi, Ben Schaefer, John Schaefer and great grandchildren (7) Journey and Landon Cleffi, Maxine, Willie and Molly Jones, Chase and Noah Cleffi. Also survived by her sister Beverly Megletti and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is planned for Thursday, June 4, 2026, 3:00pm-6:00pm and Funeral Service will be held on Friday June 5, 2026 at 10:00 am at Bermingham Funeral Home located at 216 South Main Street in Wharton. Burial will be at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, 160 Academy Street, Rockaway, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to (www.zc4h2foundation.org) in honor of Joan’s great grandaughter Molly Jones.
 

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