Joanne Catherine Riley

March 10, 1941 – July 9, 2025

Joanne Catherine Riley came into the world on March 10, 1941, just as it was thrown into a war unlike any other. She was born between two generations, often reminiscing how the gas streetlamps in her Philadelphia neighborhood were still lit by hand. Sometimes called the Silent Generation, Joanne was anything but silent. Joanne grew up in Philly spending time at her parent’s deli, Riley’s, on the northside specializing in the cheesesteak and helping make it the famous Philly cuisine we all know today.  That closeknit neighborhood allowed Joanne to become the gregarious person she was her whole life.

Even when faced with seemingly unsurmountable odds, Joanne’s tenacity, sense of self, immense faith and love for others allowed her to thrive.  As a single mom, she raised two children, Bill and Jennifer, at a time where being a single mom was a daring proposition. It was a challenge often met with side glares, judgments, and stereotypes, but she did not let that get in her way. Joanne was quick on her feet and sharp in her mind which led her to a pivotal moment at a dental office where she realized her full potential. That one moment, led to successful careers in real estate, food, and business. Joanne moved as opportunities arose, living in Rhode Island, Florida, California, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina.  Among her numerous accomplishments, Joanne brought the ubiquitous Pina Colada to the mainland as well as other high-end brands we all know and love such as Lindt chocolates. She broke the glass ceiling before most women dared to do so, rising to executive positions and then owning her business, Zoom Vision Technology.

But as successful as she was, Joanne always had time for family and to give back to her community. Joanne was a leader and member of several groups including the Lion’s Club, the Women’s Club, the Rotary in Holly Springs, North Carolina and played a pivotal role at the Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown, New Jersey. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including Small Businesswoman of the Year, the Neil Bair Award for her work with domestic violence victims, Award of Excellence and Volunteers Treasures for All Seasons award for her hospice work.

As if she was not busy enough, Joanne also dedicated her time to writing a book, The Beatitude Attitude. In her own words, “I started by questioning who I was and where I was going and found my answers in Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes). This book is my personal spiritual journey and growth by living the Beatitudes every day, and I found the power of living freely through the essence of contentment. By deepening my spirituality, I was able to live a happier, healthier, and peaceful life.”  She applied these lessons in her hospice work and endeavors as a spiritual director.

This brief summary of such an extraordinary life would not be complete without mentioning her immense happiness in being a grandmother. She was by all accounts an intriguing character full of stories and adventures. Grayson will always cherish dinners and movies with Grandma, her dancing talents and reading at Grayson and Joe’s wedding.  Equally for Youssef, he will never forget Grandma teaching him to play golf, their lunches, talks and her endless supply of snacks.

A mother, a grandmother, a wife, a rock and a friend to so many, Joanne is preceded to the Lord by her parents, Joseph and Catherine (Packi) Riley and her son, William Joseph Hedstrom. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer Lynne (Wassim) Nader and her grandchildren Grayson Catherine Nader (Joseph) Choukair and Youssef Michael Wassim Nader along with numerous other friends that looked to her as family and who will miss her laughter, her guidance, her prayers and her support every day. As Joanne would say, to each place and moment in life, bring God’s light and love.

Services will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, as follows:

11:00am-1:00pm, Viewing, Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey

1:30pm, Funeral, Church of the Assumption, 302 High Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey

Repast to follow the funeral at 504 East Prospect Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com