Joan M. Blakely

March 30, 1942 - May 7, 2020

Vernon - Joan M. Blakely, age 78, quietly passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Newton Medical Center. Born in East Orange to the late George and Mabel (Chapin) Rapp, Joan lived in Denville before moving to Vernon 45 years ago. She was a Registered Nurse and had been employed by St. Clare’s Hospital in Sussex for thirty five years and retired upon its closing. Mrs. Blakely was an active member of the Glenwood Baptist Church and its choir. She was very talented and loved to bake, knit and crochet. Mrs. Blakely was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, James A. Blakely. She is survived by her son, David Blakely and his girlfriend Jeanne Lutzkow of Vernon; her daughter, Karen VanDyk and her husband Peter of Unionville, New York; her grandchildren, Johnathan and his wife Julia Blakely of Vernon, Matthew VanDyk of Huguenot, New York, and Katie Kinzel, her husband Preston and their daughters, Madison and Alyssa of Sparrowbush, New York; her brother, Kenneth Rapp of Morristown; her brother-in-law, Allen Blakely and his wife Joan of Cumberland, VA; her nephews, Steve Rapp and his wife Lori and David Blakely and his wife April; her nieces, Kristen Agens and her husband Joe and Kerry Haas and her husband Gary; and several great nieces and nephews.Due to the government health restrictions, private cremation services have been entrusted to the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex and a celebration of Joan’s life will be held at Glenwood Baptist Church in the future. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com