With deep sorrow and endless love, we announce the passing of Joan Cottrell who left this world on May 7, 2025, at the age of 84, with her loving family by her side.
She graduated from Hamilton High School West in 1958, where she was a cheerleader and the prom queen. She went on to attend Rider College, earning an Associate’s Degree and became a medical secretary, later working at Princeton Radiology for over 20 years.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 46 years, Earl K. Cottrell; her parents, John and Josephine Paske; her uncle, Joe Czajka; and many other family members. Joan is survived by her three loving daughters (“her angels”), Nancy Whalen (Jim), Terri Kontura (Kevin), and Kelly DeLisa (Dean); her identical twin, Josie Schaible; her younger sister, Mary Hutchinson; and her brother-in-law, Barry Cottrell. She was a proud and devoted mom mom to Julie Raymond (Jeremy), Ryan Kontura (Allison), Jess Kontura (Brett), Kyle Kontura, Justin DeLisa, Carly DeLisa, and Danielle DeLisa (Kianu); as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Joan always found time to give to others and she found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was especially known for her delicious homemade pizza, meatballs, and pizzelles. She was an avid reader who loved shopping at T.J. Maxx, swimming at the YMCA, and especially cherished beach vacations with her family in OCMD.
Her warm heart, generous spirit, friendly smile, positive outlook and love for her family will always be remembered.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, 3816 East State St. Extension, Hamilton, NJ 08619.
Interment will follow at Princeton Memorial Park in Robbinsville.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joan’s memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting In Memory Of at inmemof.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
