Joan S. Belcher

Joan S. Belcher, a long-time resident of Pennsville, NJ, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on July 6th, 2024, at the age of 93. Joan was born in Scranton, PA in 1930 to Alvina and Karl Schoenfeld. She is survived by her sons Alan (Diana) and Steven (Patti), daughter Carol Faragher; grandsons Joey (Corin), Matt (Michelle) and Scott (Karen) Belcher, Jimmy Faragher, and Daniel and Matthew Caraballo; great grandchildren Eve and Easton Belcher; beloved sister Karen Buncich; sister-in-law Carlinda Belcher; and 3 nieces and 2 nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, J. Stuart Belcher, and her brother William Schoenfeld. Joan moved from Scranton, PA to Edgemoor, DE before moving to Cedar Crest Manor in Carneys Point, NJ in her Sophomore year where she met the love of her life, her Stuart. Joan graduated from Penns Grove high school in 1948 and worked in the office at Bell Telephone for several years. She married Stu in 1951, made their home in Pennsville and were blessed with 3 children. Joan was the matriarch of her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and godmother who dedicated her life to her family. She was a proud homemaker and volunteered in many activities to support her children as a PTA member, room mother, and Cub Scout Den mother. She was involved in multiple organizations in Pennsville, some serving as an officer; Pennsville Women’s Club, Pennsville Visiting Nurses Association, Charter Member for the Pennsville Historical Society, Pennsville Republican Club, and Pennsville Septemberfest Committee. She was an original member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carney’s Point, was the second couple to be married there, served on Women’s Guild, Alter Society and was a Sunday School teacher. Joan was most proud to be a member of her Beta Sigma Phi Sorority – Xi Omicron Chapter since 1956 where she met so many of her closest friends. Joan had a zest for life, loved conversations and could tell you detailed stories spanning her entire life! Over the years, she spent summers camping at Cherrystone, vacationing at the Jersey Shore, and boating, fishing and crabbing on Rehoboth Bay. Winters were spent on the South West Coast of Florida on the beaches of Bonita, Barefoot and Sanibel. Joan loved her role as “First Lady” of Pennsville and enjoyed many political events over the years. She took up golf at Salem Country Club and was so proud of her hole-in-one! Joan was fortunate to have traveled and cruised all over the world to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, California, Alaska, the Panama Canal and many other places. She was a strong independent role model for the women in her family and all that knew and loved her. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 12th at Ashcraft Funeral Home, 740 S. Broadway in Pennsville from 9:30 am - 11:30 am followed by a Celebration of Joan’s life starting at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Lawnside Cemetery in Woodstown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Pennsville Visiting Nurses Association, 14 N. Broadway, Pennsville, NJ, 08070. The VNA was very dear to Joan as a former member and officer of the organization.

Joan S. Belcher

September 27, 1930 - July 6, 2024