Joan M. O’Kane of Princeton Junction, daughter of the late Alfred and Mabel Pietrinferno, passed away on November 2, 2020 at home. Joan was married to the late Thomas R. O’Kane III who died on May 10, 2004. They were high school sweethearts who shared a great love and wonderful times together. She is survived by her caring and loving children; her daughter Beth, her son Tom and daughter-in-law Karen and her two cherished grandchildren, Mollie and Kyle. Family survivors include her two sisters, Mary Ann and Janet Pietrinferno and sister-in-law Kathleen Bigioni and her brother-in-law Dennis O’Kane. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was very fond of them all and enjoyed family get togethers.
Joan was born in Princeton, graduated from Saint Paul’s School where she was a member of the childrens’ choir and from Princeton High School in 1956. She loved the town and delighted in telling her friends stories of the days growing up there. After high school she attended Temple University Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, PA and graduated in 1959. She and Tom married in 1959 and over the next years had their two children. After practicing nursing part time for a while, Joan became a stay-at-home mom but was active in the West Windsor community in her childrens’ schools, sports activities and in fundraising for various organizations and most notably as an active member of the Twin “W” First Aid and Rescue Squad from 1974-1981. In 1981 she changed careers and began working at Princeton University as a secretary. She loved the University and retired in 1997 as Department Administrator, Communications, and Publications. After retiring, she began volunteering at the West Windsor Senior Resource Center. Joan’s “passion” was flower gardening and she loved sharing her gardens with her family and friends. She also enjoyed vacationing on Hilton Head Island, SC, playing her piano, reading, cooking, and participating in meaningful conversations and discussions.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Monday, November 9, 2020 at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau St. Princeton, NJ 08542. She will be laid to rest beside Tom in Princeton Cemetery on Greenwood Ave. in Princeton. The family asks that contributions in her memory to be sent to: The Senior Care Ministry of Princeton; PO Box 1517; Princeton, NJ 08542 or St. Vincent De Paul Society, Saint Paul Parish, Parish Center, 216 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08542.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.