Joan Russo

 Joan Russo, a lifelong resident of New Milford, was 80 years old when she passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Joan was born in New York, New York on January 26, 1944. Joan was predeceased by her parents, Kenneth and Helen Biedenkapp, and her brothers, Kenneth Biedenkapp and James Biedenkapp. She is now survived by her sisters Judith Harpster and Joyce Hilsen. Joan is survived by her loving daughters, Linda Farrell and her husband James, Donna Smith and her husband Jeremy, and her three cherished grandchildren, Samantha Doherty, Kelsey Doherty, and Sequoia Smith.

More than anything, Joan loved spending time with her family, especially with her daughters and their families. She treasured the lives they built and always looked forward to Sunday family dinners. She loved traveling to the Southwest, to visit family, and bask in the Arizona sun. Joan was an extremely kind and thoughtful person; she never missed a special family event or birthday. She lived to love and support her family. Her family was her pride and joy.

Joan was a strong and independent woman who continued to work up through the very last year of her life. She valued being an active member of her community and served for many years as an employee of the borough of New Milford. Joan was the friendly face of the New Milford Senior Center. She cherished the relationships she built with the town's residents and her coworkers.

Joan was naturally joyful. She was always ready to share a laugh or groove alongside you when a top 70's or 80's hit song came on. She enjoyed the simple pleasures, like conversing with friends, family, or coworkers over coffee or sharing one of her favorite snacks, chips and dip.

Joan always strove to be a light in the world and bring peace to her loved ones and those she encountered. She faithfully pursued a journey of personal growth, following a path worth emulating. It always brought her great hope and peace to see others recognize that "to love is to reach God." - Rumi

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, June 25th at the Boulevard Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1151 River Road, New Milford, NJ from 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm. The following day, Wednesday, a prayer service will be held in the funeral home at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Christ The King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joan’s memory with checks addressed to Borough of New Milford Senior Center, 275 River Road, New Milford, N.J.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Russo, please visit our floral store.