Obituary of Joan Phillips

Joan Gartland Phillips, passed away peacefully at home in Branchburg on May 7, 2016 with the love of her husband and her daughter at her side. Born in Bayonne on May 30th 1925, she was the fifth of eight children to the late John and Johanna Gartland, the family moved to Dunellen when Joan was eleven. She was a former resident of South Plainfield and Piscataway for over 30 years and has resided in Branchburg for over 20 years. Joan was a graduate of St. Peter's High School class of 1943. Her first job was during World War II 1944 in the defense plant, Diehl Mfg. where she was a final inspector for Norden Bomb Sights, which were used in every Bomber during the war. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Rosary Alter Society and the Women's Auxiliary Ancient Order Hibernians from 1950-70. Most recently, she was a devoted member of the Branchburg Senior Club. Joan was an avid bowler and golfer in her earlier years. She also enjoyed cross country skiing in Maine, and she amazingly learned to water ski after the age of 55. She loved reading and was a talented seamstress. In her later years, she became a quilter, which became a passion of hers as she went on to create many quilts by hand. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her seven siblings, and her dear granddaughter Kate. Surviving are her beloved husband of 65 years, Henry "Hank" Phillips, her loving children, Steven and wife Barbara of Ringoes, Henry, Jr. (Hap) and wife Carol of East Brunswick, John and wife Patty of Middlesex, Kathy Pertrill and husband Joseph of Branchburg, her eleven cherished grandchildren, Maryjo, Steven, Jane, Christine, Matthew, Shawn, Erin, John, Bethany, Kyle, Robin, and her fourteen great grandchildren whom she thoroughly enjoyed and adored. Funeral services will begin with a prayer at 9:00AM on Thursday, May 12th 2016 at the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Thursday May 12th at the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield. Entombment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 11th 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan's memory to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Westcott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research.