Joan Elizabeth McGhee nee. Kelly, age 80, formerly of Dublin, Ireland passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2018.
Born February 25, 1938, Joan was the second eldest of the Kelly clan. Immigrating to America in the 1960s, Joan and her family settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1975, Joan moved to the Jersey Shore and made her home in Middletown.
Joan’s dedication to helping and serving found her assuming prominent positions in Irish Northern Aid, an American based membership organization that supports the establishment of a democratic 32 county Ireland. In addition, Joan made her mark early as one of the few women to assume ownership as a franchisee in Dunkin’ Donuts. Over the course of 35 years, Joan served as owner and operator of numerous Dunkin’ Donuts franchises, never forgetting her humble beginnings.
Predeceased in death by her parents, Con and Maggie Kelly, sisters Rosanna Redford and Maura Bala and her brother Con Kelly. Joan is survived by her brothers John Walter (Libby) Kelly, and Edmond (Ann) Kelly and her sisters Maeve Serafin.
Survived by her 5 loving children Sylvia (Shawn) McInerney, Janis Errickson, Seamus (Theresa) Dixon, Kieran Dixon, and Maura (Bill) Attardi and grandchildren Zachary (Alicia), Molly (Grant), Michael, Connor, Aidan, Kelsey, Liam, Collin, Brian, Billy, Matilda, Kaitlyn, Emma, and Georgia.
There will be visitation on Saturday, October 27th, at 11 AM at Thompson Funeral Home, 310 Broad Street Red Bank, NJ and a memorial service of life following visitation at 1 PM.
Joan was a voracious reader, enjoyed the occasional trip to Atlantic City and loved spending time with her sisters sharing a cup of tea or a glass of Chardonnay. In her spirit of always wanting to help and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org
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