Joan Regina (McCallion) Remshifski

Jefferson Twp – Joan Regina Remshifski, nee McCallion, passed away peacefully, at the age of 81, in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, September the 15th. 

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1938 and raised there and the boroughs of Queens and Long Island, Joan moved to Lake Hopatcong after high school to live with her friend, and future sister-in-law, Helen Steele Remshifski and her husband William Remshifski before the marriage to her teenage sweetheart Frank Remshifski, William’s youngest brother.

She worked at Picatinny Arsenal before her marriage and the birth of her daughter Julie, then at various area diners, during which she gave birth to her son Frank Jr, followed by her career in foodservice at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Denville.

Later, in her retirement years, she would work as an adored lunch lady in the Jefferson Township school district.

After the death of Frank in 2005, after 47 years of marriage, she spent years traveling North America with family to some of her favorite places in the world like picturesque Prince Edward Island, Montréal and Quebec City, Canada, across the New England coast and as far as the sunny states of Florida and California. Over the years, her walls and mantle would be covered with photographs and mementos of her exploits. When home, she reveled in the company of her family, especially during the holidays. There, she would day trip with her daughter Julie, effortlessly while away summer days in the pool with Frank and Becky, or savor one of Abby’s famous cupcakes while delightfully spoiling her great grandson Noah.

She is preceded in death by her husband Frank Remshifski, older brother John McCallion and younger sister Margaret Lalegian.

She is survived by her daughter Julie McFadden and fiancé Bill Tullis, son Frank Remshifski and wife Rebecca Oliver-Remshifski, granddaughter Abby Rose Remshifski, great grandson Noah Vargas, numerous beloved nieces and nephews of the Remshifski and Lalegian families and many dear friends.

As per her wishes, a private family funeral will be followed by a future, but as yet to be scheduled, Irish wake to remember and celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org or 888-557-7177).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Regina (McCallion) Remshifski, please visit our floral store.