Joan Marie Donaldson

Joan Marie Donaldson (Daley), of Mantoloking, New Jersey, peacefully passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024 surrounded by her family. Joan was born on April 18, 1951 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Katherine V. (McGarry) and Edward J. Daley.

Over 52 years ago, Joan Marie met and married the love of her life, Francis (Frank) Donaldson. They resided in Bridgewater, New Jersey for many years, where they raised their two daughters, Kimberly and Colleen. Partners in all aspects of life, Joan and Frank built and led their own successful business based in Branchburg, NJ, designing and building specialized machinery for the consumer products industry for over two decades. After residing in Tewksbury Township for many years, they retired to Mantoloking, NJ. Joan made her homes a haven of warmth and love for her family. 

Joan was a loving, supportive, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Above all, Grammie loved spending time with her two grandchildren, Abigail and William. Her greatest joys were being with her children, grandchildren, and family, and planning and hosting celebrations, holidays, and summer-fun for them. Joan’s favorite pastime was watching sunsets and taking walks on the beach with her husband and adored dog Cody. Joan was an avid artist. Although she excelled at many mediums, her favored was watercolor, and her artwork is proudly displayed in her home. Joan also enjoyed many years of teaching Catechism to children, including her young family members, at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Martinsville, NJ. 

Joan will be profoundly missed by her husband Frank; her daughters and sons-in-law Kimberly and Darren Smith, and Colleen and Donald Blejwas; her grandchildren Abigail and William Blejwas; her sister Linda Conaty; her nieces and nephews, Rebecca Dilthey, Caroline Swensen, Jeffery Swensen (Laura), Samantha Rocciolo, Charles and James Swensen, and Miles and Diana Dilthey; her brother-in-law Dan Donaldson (Sandy); sisters-in-law Lucinda Donaldson and Margaret Fryer (Todd); and nieces and nephews Erin Smith, Lindsay Fryer (Darren), Timothy Fryer, Daniel Fryer (Danielle) and Melissa Fryer. Joan was predeceased by her parents, and her brother-in-law John R. Conaty.

Visitation and services for family and friends will be held at The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, and on Friday, August 23, 2024 from 10:00 - 11:00 am with services to follow. After the service, the Christian burial will occur at Calvary Cemetery, 235 Matsonford Road, Conshohocken, PA. The family invites all to a celebration of life luncheon which will begin after the burial, at the Lodge at Liberty Hill, 800 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Joan’s memory.