Obituary of JoAnn Oakes
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JoAnn G. Oakes, of Boonton, passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 23, 2016 with her loving family by her side at Morristown Medical Center. She was 70 years young.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was raised in Rockaway, NJ. JoAnn graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BA of Science Degree. She married her soulmate David in 1967 and her life as an Air Force Wife began. They had two beautiful daughters and they traveled the world together living in places such as Germany, Panama Canal, NM, FL, AL, ND, GA, VA, OR, and OK, to name a few. In 1994, they moved back home to take over the family farm, Oakeside Farm in Boonton where their specialty is Horse Boarding. JoAnn took great pride in the farm and enjoyed every second she spent there. She added her special touch to the farm and made it a magical place to be for horses and people.
Her whole life, she had a passion for the theatre; on top of her other careers, she was also a Theater Director. She has directed many plays in many theaters including theaters in NYC, the Air Force, and Darress Theatre. JoAnn was a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and St. John's Episcopal Church of Boonton. Her most important career was as a wife and mother. She was born to be a mother and she was incomparable at it. Her legacy of love, nurturing, and laughter will forever live on in the hearts and souls of all the lives that she touched on her short time on this earth.
Predeceased by her cherished daughter, Tiffany Oakes (2009) and her brother Richard Giammetta, she is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, David Oakes; her adored daughter, Christie Oakes; her treasured grandchildren, Gillian and Liam; a special Golden, Merlin; and many other extended family, friends, and horses.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 1st at 10 am at St. John's Episcopal Church of Boonton, 226 Cornelia St., Boonton, NJ 07005. Because both of her daughters fought with cancer, the family asks that you kindly make a donation in JoAnn's name by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or the Gastric Cancer Foundation. Please visit www.normandean.com to leave a condolence for her family.
