Obituary of Jo Ann Hillabrant

Jo Ann Hillabrant of Rockaway passed away surrounded by family on February 6, 2026, after a brief illness, at the age of 78.

Jo Ann was born on February 7, 1947, and she attended the Hibernia School, the same school her mother attended in the 1930s. She then went on to other Rockaway Twp. Elementary schools; the KD Malone and Dennis B. O’Brien School. She attended Morris Hills High School from 1962 to 1964. In 1964 she moved to Berwyn, Illinois. She graduated from Morton West High in 1966. During her life, Jo Ann worked at many places, including McNeal Memorial Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois, John Alden Jalico Life Insurance Co. in Chicago, RC Records in Rockaway, Pathmark in Randolph, NJ, and finally as a clerk typist for Travelers Insurance in Parsippany.

Jo Ann was a charter member of the Dover Rainbow Girls, having joined in 1960. She was a member of Rockaway First Presbyterian Church for 66 years. She enjoyed helping at her Church in the baby nursery during worship hour. She also helped with making the holiday food baskets with her congregation.

Jo Ann loved country music and tunes from the 1950s and 1960s. She loved to dance! She was a member of Parents Without Partners, Chapter 120. Jo Ann was kind to all she knew. She always helped and took care of her family. She was especially kind to homeless people and tried to help them in many ways.

She is survived by her son, Richard Hillabrant, her daughter, Amber Laccitiello and her husband Chris, Grand-Dog Little Bear, her sister Terry Beston, her brother Aubrey Hart, Jr., Homer Jack Hillabrant her niece, Erika Ramirez, her nephew Jeremy Minier and many friends. She was predeceased by her mother, Ella Hart in 1999, Her Father Homer Hillabrant 1996 her grandmother, Anne Willis in 1975, her grandfather, Sidney Willis in 1985.Her dear companion of over 40 years Fred Blakley.

In Lieu of Flowers Donate to the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway or to Saint Huberts Animal Shelter.

Visitation will be held on Thursday February 19, 2026, from 7:00PM to 8:30PM, followed by a Funeral Service beging at 8:30PM at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834. Interment will take place on Friday February 20, at 9:30AM at Locust Hill Cemetery 168 North Sussex St. Dover, NJ 07801. A Celebration of life will be held in the months to come, so please check back for further service information.

www.normandean.com. please use this page to share a memory, leave a condolence, or light a candle to continue to let Jo Ann's light shine!