Joan A. Ailara

Joan Ann Ailara (née Rodgers), 88, of Barnegat, N.J., transcended to God on Monday, April 28, 2025. She passed peacefully while at home beside Carl M. Ailara, her beloved husband of 62 years.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to her late parents Edward and Albertina Rodgers, Joan excelled at academic and religious studies, graduating from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in French.

An avid reader for both joy and learning, Joan began her career at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she put her strong research skills to use in the Records Management office. Though she quickly rose to a supervisory position, her true calling had always been to start a family, and so she put her career on hold and moved to Parsippany, N.J. While there, happily raising her children, she earned her teacher’s license, which she immediately put to use serving the students of Parsippany Troy Hills Elementary School. Once her children had grown and left the roost, she retired to Ocean County, N.J.

To all who knew her, Joan’s greatest joy in life was her family. She raised three children, inspiring them to excel on their individual paths to success and happiness. She then eagerly took on the role of doting grandmother to eight beautiful children whom she cherished and nurtured every chance she got.

In addition to her husband, Carl, Joan is survived by her children, Carl Jr., Edmund, and Heather, Carl Jr.’s wife, Maureen, Edmund’s wife, Kristina, and her beloved grandchildren, Michael, Zachary, Alexandra, Kyle, Ryan, Sean, Connor, and Cassandra. Joan was predeceased by her son, Michael, and daughter, Dina, with whom she will now be reunited. 

Mom: We love you, we love you, we love you so well; if we had a peanut, we’d give you the shell! Love, your chickens.

Memorial Mass will be offered 11:00 AM on Monday, May 5, 2025, at St. Mary's Church, Barnegat. (www.BarnegatFH.com)

“In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/nj) would be appreciated.” 

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