Joan M. Schmitt

Joan M. Schmitt, (nee McBride), age 86 of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2019 surrounded by friends and family.

Joan was born on July 2, 1933, in Paterson, NJ to Thomas and Wilma McBride, (nee Christ). She and her sister, Elizabeth Manghisi, (nee McBride) grew up in South Paterson. Joan attended St. George’s School during her grade school years and graduated from St. John’s High School. While in high school, she was selected to attend Girls State.

On February 14, 1953, Joan married the love of her life, George Schmitt. They met when she was thirteen and have been together ever since. During their 73 years together, they have welcomed five children: Debra and her husband, Richard Mirabelli of West Milford, NJ, George Schmitt of Wanye, NJ, Edward and his wife Kim Schmitt of Chester, NY, Diane and her husband Dave Brennan of Sparta, NJ, and Lisa Schmitt of Wanye, NJ.

Joan also was blessed with 11 grandchildren: Melissa and her husband Denis Welch of West Milford, NJ, Dana and her husband Donald Reonieri of Landing, NJ, Michele and her husband Erik Gillis of Ringwood, NJ, Scott and his wife Rosy Schmitt of Belvidere, NJ, Kayla Schmitt and Jahne and Patrick Liszewski of Chester, NY, Ashley, Casey, and Shannon Brennan of Wayne, NJ, and Melvin Green of Bloomfield, NJ.

On her 59th Wedding Anniversary, Joan welcomed her first great grandchild and since then she was blessed with an additional four great grandchildren. Denis, Aubrey, Ryan, Owen, and Edison always enjoyed spending time with her and sitting on Great Grandma Joan’s lap.

When Joan was young she learned to play the piano and continued the tradition by surrounding her children and grandchildren with her love of music. Joan enjoyed her role as a home-maker. She loved knitting, sewing costumes and clothing for her family, baking cookies and cakes for all occasions, and gifting family members her beautiful ceramics pieces that have become priceless memories to them.

Joan was most happy spending time with her family. Over the years she enjoyed many summers at Lake Hopatcong and going on annual family vacations to Wildwood Crest. Being surrounded by her family and friends is what made Joan happy. Hosting family parties, special occasions and the holidays is what Joan enjoyed most. These events were always shared with her parents, sister Betty, nephew Frankie and extended family and friends.

After a long full life and 66 beautiful years of marriage to her sweetheart George, Joan’s legacy will live on through her family and friends. She always had time to enjoy their company and was able to lovingly embrace four generations of family.

She was predeceased by her mother, Wilma McBride in 1999, her sister, Elizabeth Manghisi in 2007, and her father, Thomas McBride in 2010.