Joan Barry Jarrett

Joan B Jarrett, age 92, of Nokomis, passed away in the early morning of Monday, April 7th, in her home. The daughter of Gerald and Edith (Forrester) Barry, she was born and raised in Pennington, NJ. She completed grade school through the Hopewell Valley School District, graduating from Pennington High School in 1950. She later attended Trenton State College in New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor's in Science and Math Education. She taught science at Watchung Middle School, as well as two years at the Scotch Plains High School, following Wardlaw – Hartridge Middle School of Plainfield. Joan was active within her community serving as a field director and camp counselor for the Girl Scouts, as well as active with the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church.

After graduating college, Joan married the love of her life, Robert Jarrett, on August 21st, 1954, which was the beginning of a seventy-year life together. Early on they resided in Plainfield, New Jersey, until 1959, where they then resided at their long time home in Middlesex, NJ. They built their life and had three children, Leslie (Petiya), Marilyn (Dohanish), and Robert. Joan and Bob later resided in Nokomis, Florida, where they were active together within the community as well as active members of St. Andrews UCC, of Sarasota. Joan and Bob enjoyed traveling the country, especially visiting historical United States landmarks and national parks. They made trips to Hawaii, England, as well as regularly traveled the country to visit friends, children and grand-children.

Joan was a loving and caring woman, but also stern. She was full of stories that she loved to share with family and friends, especially around the table playing Uno. Stories including of her loving parents, wonderful childhood, and her notorious childhood pet skunk, Snuffy. She had a contagious laugh that lit up a room. Joan enjoyed painting with watercolors, her beautiful artwork is displayed throughout her home and gifted to children and friends. She participated in many clubs within her church and the Spanish Lakes community where she and Bob resided. Joan enjoyed spending long days at the beach with her children and grandchildren, evenings out, such as big dinners with her family and friends, as well as simple evenings with her loving husband Bob and a glass of wine. Joan enjoyed cooking and had many wonderful recipes, that we enjoy making to this day.

She is survived by her wonderful husband Bob Jarrett, their three children Leslie (Joe) Petiya, Marilyn (Steve) Dohanish, and Robert (Darcy) Jarrett, and long time friend (like a second son) Wayne Miller. Her eight grandchildren, Nicholas (Bridgette) and Christopher (Becky) Petiya, Brandon and Matthew Hoff, Stephanie Pierce - Pennock (Brad), Chase (Christina), Lilly, and Courtney Jarrett. As well as her four (soon to be five) great grandchildren, Allison Pierce, Nicholas Jr. Petiya, Aria and Mia Petiya, and soon to be Petiya boy, due June 2025.

A memorial service will be taking place at the time of interment for both Joan and Bob in the future, at the Bound Brook Cemetery, in New Jersey.