Obituary for Joan Marie Gunzenhauser (Saborsky)
Joan Marie Gunzenhauser (nee Saborsky), of Mays Landing (and recently of Galloway Township) died on February 4, 2021 of complications due to Covid 19. She was 87. Born on January 8, 1934 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Joan worked for more than 29 years at the FAA’s National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC), in Pomona, NJ.
Joan was exceedingly proud of her immediate and extended family, who lovingly knew her as "Mom," “Grammy,” or "Aunt Joan." She liked everyone, welcomed everyone and judged no one. No problem was too big that it couldn’t be solved over a cup of tea at her dining room table. Her abiding focus were her relationships with her siblings, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would light up at the prospect of a visit from family and friends.
As the solo mother of five daughters, Joan had her fair share of challenges, but she never wavered. She never showed her bad days, only her humility and strength. Christmas was her favorite holiday, a time to pile on the presents and the food. She will be remembered by family and friends as much for her spaghetti and meatballs as for her heads-down work ethic. She never missed a birthday, graduation, wedding, or funeral for family, near and far. After she retired, Joan finally got to do the travel she had always dreamed of including trips to Paris, London, and Ireland, and road trips around the western USA and Alaska.
She was married to the late Charles “Gus” Gunzenhauser. They were together for over 20 years, until Gus’ death in 1994. She was a loving mother to her five daughters, Joan Marie Patterson (Merritt) of Beaufort, SC; Deborah Anne Landsiedel (Gary) of Ocean City, NJ; Karen Warner Schueler (John) of Beaufort, SC; Ellen Jane Cobb (the late Bob Cobb) of Estell Manor, NJ; and Kathy Mann (Bill) of Whiting, NJ. She was also a proud Grammy to six grandchildren: Rebekah Pfander Sandtorp (John); Katherine Warner Molek (Tim); Christine Cobb Jones (Joseph); Robert Cobb (Joanne); Kevin Cobb; and Merritt Michael Patterson. She delighted in her seven great-grandchildren: Jakob Sandtorp; Brianna and Jesselyn Ablett; Sarah and Sean Cobb; and Oliver and Lucas Molek. The youngest of six, Joan will be lovingly missed by her older brother, Raymond Saborsky and her many nieces and nephews along with their children and grandchildren. She is predeceased by her sisters and brothers, Elizabeth Frysinger, Mary Sell, William Saborsky, and John Saborsky, and their spouses.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caregivers at Seashore Gardens in Galloway for showing such love and care throughout Joan’s residence there and we are especially grateful for their dedication and resilience during this past year of the global pandemic.
All who loved Joan are invited to celebrate her life in whatever way they feel safe in this time of Covid. Her family will safely gather for a viewing this Saturday, February 13, 2021, 9am to 10:30am, at Boakes Funeral Home, 6050 Main Street, Mays Landing, NJ, followed by a socially distanced Mass at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 5021 Harding Hwy, Mays Landing from 11am. Masks are required for these events.
Given the current uncertain health environment, Joan’s family gives their complete understanding if you choose to celebrate Joan’s life at a distance. Condolences to the family can be safely offered online at www.boakesfuneralhome.com.
Joan will be laid to rest beside Gus in Atlantic County Park Veterans Cemetery, 109 NJ Highway 50, Estell Manor, NJ, immediately following Mass.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the name of Joan Gunzenhauser to Seashore Gardens Living Center, 22 West Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township, NJ 08205.
Joan was exceedingly proud of her immediate and extended family, who lovingly knew her as "Mom," “Grammy,” or "Aunt Joan." She liked everyone, welcomed everyone and judged no one. No problem was too big that it couldn’t be solved over a cup of tea at her dining room table. Her abiding focus were her relationships with her siblings, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would light up at the prospect of a visit from family and friends.
As the solo mother of five daughters, Joan had her fair share of challenges, but she never wavered. She never showed her bad days, only her humility and strength. Christmas was her favorite holiday, a time to pile on the presents and the food. She will be remembered by family and friends as much for her spaghetti and meatballs as for her heads-down work ethic. She never missed a birthday, graduation, wedding, or funeral for family, near and far. After she retired, Joan finally got to do the travel she had always dreamed of including trips to Paris, London, and Ireland, and road trips around the western USA and Alaska.
She was married to the late Charles “Gus” Gunzenhauser. They were together for over 20 years, until Gus’ death in 1994. She was a loving mother to her five daughters, Joan Marie Patterson (Merritt) of Beaufort, SC; Deborah Anne Landsiedel (Gary) of Ocean City, NJ; Karen Warner Schueler (John) of Beaufort, SC; Ellen Jane Cobb (the late Bob Cobb) of Estell Manor, NJ; and Kathy Mann (Bill) of Whiting, NJ. She was also a proud Grammy to six grandchildren: Rebekah Pfander Sandtorp (John); Katherine Warner Molek (Tim); Christine Cobb Jones (Joseph); Robert Cobb (Joanne); Kevin Cobb; and Merritt Michael Patterson. She delighted in her seven great-grandchildren: Jakob Sandtorp; Brianna and Jesselyn Ablett; Sarah and Sean Cobb; and Oliver and Lucas Molek. The youngest of six, Joan will be lovingly missed by her older brother, Raymond Saborsky and her many nieces and nephews along with their children and grandchildren. She is predeceased by her sisters and brothers, Elizabeth Frysinger, Mary Sell, William Saborsky, and John Saborsky, and their spouses.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caregivers at Seashore Gardens in Galloway for showing such love and care throughout Joan’s residence there and we are especially grateful for their dedication and resilience during this past year of the global pandemic.
All who loved Joan are invited to celebrate her life in whatever way they feel safe in this time of Covid. Her family will safely gather for a viewing this Saturday, February 13, 2021, 9am to 10:30am, at Boakes Funeral Home, 6050 Main Street, Mays Landing, NJ, followed by a socially distanced Mass at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 5021 Harding Hwy, Mays Landing from 11am. Masks are required for these events.
Given the current uncertain health environment, Joan’s family gives their complete understanding if you choose to celebrate Joan’s life at a distance. Condolences to the family can be safely offered online at www.boakesfuneralhome.com.
Joan will be laid to rest beside Gus in Atlantic County Park Veterans Cemetery, 109 NJ Highway 50, Estell Manor, NJ, immediately following Mass.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the name of Joan Gunzenhauser to Seashore Gardens Living Center, 22 West Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township, NJ 08205.