Joann Carol Lynch was born on a cold winter day in Rahway, New Jersey on December 24, 1949. As a Christmas baby, her parents saw fit to name her Joann "Carol" and she went on to enjoy all the benefits of celebrating a birthday on the night before Christmas. Her and her parents eventually settled a few miles from the town she was born, to a quiet suburb called Clark where her family would grow with the addition of two younger siblings. Joann was raised in the 1950's, a time affectionately known as the "good old days" when people left their doors unlocked and children played tirelessly with nothing to fear, except for their mom grabbing them by the ear when they were late for dinner. Joann saw it all, the flower painted faces of the 1960's, the fateful day we lost JFK, the Vietnam war, the treasure trove of music, culture and change that followed. She, like many others in her generation, had front row seats to the coming of age of America.

Shortly after meeting her future husband in 1969, they went on a cross-country adventure that brought them to California where they would elope. Joann was known for her spontaneity and her generosity. She was funny, fun-loving, hardworking, and sentimental. She was destined to be a fire brand, where her brutal honesty, sarcastic humor and no-nonsense demeanor won hearts and rattled others. One thing was always certain; you would never get bored spending time with her. She inspired many people and wasn't afraid to pursue her passions which included cooking, (lots of cooking), music, horticulture, decorating, crafts and traveling. She loves the Lord Jesus and has believed on Him through the good and the bad. She was a career woman for over 30 years in the insurance world where she finally began to enjoy her retirement in 2019. She was diagnosed with cancer about half a decade later but didn't let it stop her from mustering up the joy and fun she was so known for by friends and family. She was a rare breed and strong as steel. She fought to hold the torch of life right up to the minute that The Lord took her on February 2, 2026.

She is survived by her son, her brother, her sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, her nieces and her nephews who all love and miss her. God bless you Joann; you will never be forgotten!