Obituary of Joan Berardi

Berardi, Joan Kathleen (Schultz), age 84, of Villas, NJ, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2023. Born in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia on December 31, 1938, Joan was the youngest of Herman and Eva (Staab) Schultz's seven children. She was also the beloved wife and inseparable soulmate for 59 years of the late Thomas L. Berardi. As a member of a devout Catholic family, Joan attended the Immaculate Conception Grammar School and graduated from J. W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia. Joan and Tom were married in 1958 and raised two children, Thomas L. Berardi, Jr. and EvaMarie Berardi Quattrochi. Joan was employed by Prudential Securities for over 25 years, where she worked her way up from cashier to Associate Vice-President of Operations. Upon retirement, Joan and Tom became "snowbirds", spending winters in Crystal River, FL and summers in Villas, NJ. They enjoyed traveling and took many cruises including the ultimate ones to Alaska, Europe, and northern Africa. They also visited almost all of our 50 states on their journeys across our beautiful country. Spending time with family, especially with her grandchildren on the beach, gave Joan the most joy in her life. As an extraordinary cook, many friends and family enjoyed the meals she lovingly prepared. Joan adopted from afar a young Filipino girl named Jellie Rose, to whom she sent cards, gifts, and money for over 20 years. She called Bingo at St. Raymond's in Villas for many years. While in Florida, she helped to run the coffee and donuts program after all Sunday masses at St. Benedict's, was a volunteer docent at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, and a member of the Red Hat Society. Joan was predeceased by five of her six siblings, Alice Giebel, Harry Schultz, Mary McMahon, Rose Ryan, and Herman Schultz. She is survived by her sister Marion Galdo, children Tom Berardi (Christine) and EvaMarie Quattrochi, grandchildren Thomas L. Berardi III, Joseph F. Berardi (Mary Kate), Gabrielle Berardi, great-granddaughter Margot Olivia Berardi, and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00, directly followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM at the parish of St. John Neumann, Church of St. Raymond, 800 Bayshore Rd., Villas, NJ. The internment will be immediately after at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in North Cape May, NJ, and is open to all. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Regional School, 5809 Main St., Mays Landing, NJ 08330.