Obituary of Joan Ruth Klass

Joan Ruth Klass (affectionally known as “Aunt Joan” to her family and close friends) passed away on April 9, 2022.  Even as she joined the octogenarian ranks this past October, she continued to show her compassionate concern for others, especially during her daily calls with friends Kathy and Helen.  Joan spent her formative years in Metuchen, graduating from Metuchen High School, Rutgers College of Nursing, and later received an MBA at Rutgers University.  Her career included employment at the JFK Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, and Wayne General Hospital as a nursing executive.  She was selected to participate in the Wharton Fellow in Management for Nursing, one of forty senior nursing executives chosen from hospitals nationwide.  She served, with distinction, as President of the New Jersey Chapter of the Organization of Nurse Executives. She concluded her career as a school nurse at the Hammarskjold Middle School in East Brunswick and, during her working years, lived in Monmouth Junction, NJ.

She loved her two nephews, Michael and Gregg Slanovec, and proudly sat with a painting of them and her dog, Quincy, displayed behind her favorite chair.  A quick look at her refrigerator door told the observer what mattered most to her – people and puppies: her parents Eric and Ruth Klass (deceased), her brother Robert (deceased), and her sister Jean (Beavers) and husband, Bud, and, despite the limited size of the refrigerator door, photos of extended family members (Sarah, Dakota, Isabelle, Chloe, Jayden, Monica, Bill, Kate, Alli), colleagues, church friends (Princeton United Methodist Church), ADK members, neighbors,  classmates, and dogs Coca, Cinde, Casey, and Liberty.  Her faithful allegiance to the New York Giants and the New York Mets was unwavering.  Aunt Joan made a difference to all with whom she came in contact.  She was the quintessential care giver throughout her life.

Following visitation (10am to 11am) at Tuttle Funeral Home, Rt. 10 Randolph, on Wednesday, April 13, a brief service will be held.  Burial will be at Nisky Cemetery in Bethlehem, Pa.