Joan Gerace, Long-Time St. Matthias Parishioner

Mrs. Joan Gerace died on Thursday morning at her home in Somerset.

Joan was born in Lackawanna, N.Y., and lived in the Tonawanda, N.Y. prior to moving to Somerset in 1965. She was a long-time parishioner at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Somerset. Joan looked forward to entertaining family and friends, particularly around the holidays. Her family will miss her fine cooking and experimenting with different cuisines and ingredients. She was very artistic and creative, with an impeccable sense of style. Her extended family recalls often admiring her stylish hats and high-heeled shoes.

After retiring, Joan enjoyed traveling frequently with her husband. She took many photographs, although digital cameras were a great challenge to her. Always staying up to date with current events and politics, Joan enjoyed stimulating discussions about them. She had a wry sense of humor and a well-honed wit.

Mrs. Gerace was pre-deceased by her siblings, William, James and Jean Watkins, and a sister, Margaret Mary Zugger.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Mr. Frank E. Gerace, Sr.; their children, James G. Gerace, Frank E. Gerace. Jr. and his wife Cheryl Wanner, Marianne Gerace, and John M. Gerace and his husband Stephen Hand; her brother, Paul Watkins; her sisters, Sr. Patricia Ann Watkins and Rosemary Caito; her brother-in-law, Henry L. Zugger, and sister-in-law Joan Watkins. She leaves behind her many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will begin at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton St., Somerset, followed by a 9 a.m. funeral mass at St. Matthias Church in Somerset. Interment will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran’s Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ.

Visiting will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Gleason Funeral Home. Contributions in Mrs. Gerace’s name may be made to the Glaucoma Research Foundation at www.https://getinvolved.glaucoma.org/donate.

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