Joan Elise Harriman, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2023 at her home, at the age of 80. She was surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born on July 7th, 1942 in West Orange, New Jersey, the daughter of Elise and Frank Deering.

Joan was a graduate of Mount Saint Dominic High School and went on to attend Penn State University where she was a math major. After college, Joan worked as a systems analyst at Prudential Insurance.

Joan was a devoted wife to her husband, Arthur Harriman, for 52 years. They met while working in New York City early in their careers. Joan always spoke of the first time she saw his blue eyes.  Art was the love of her life.  Together, they raised three children, Joan, Joe and Lynn, who brought them immense joy and pride. Joan was also a cherished grandmother to her ten grandchildren, who adored her.

Joan was strong in her faith. She was a member of Saint Denis in Manasquan and Ascension Church in Boca Raton. She cherished spending time and celebrating her faith with the “Boca Believers.” Her happy place was watching the sunrise on her sun porch in Delray Beach.  In her free time, Joan loved people. She valued her friendships and felt blessed to have them in her life.  She was instrumental in forming the Manasquan seniors’ group. She always made time to laugh and dance wherever there was music. There was never a problem that she did not try to solve. She wanted to leave the world a better place for her grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her children Joan and Brian Shaughnessy, Joe and Dawn Harriman and Lynn and Eric Rossman; her grandchildren, Liam, Colin, Marilyn, Thomas, Dana and her husband, Thomas, Shawn, Zachary, Charles, Joseph and John; Christina Deering who was more like a sister than a sister-in-law. 

Joan will be greatly missed by her family, friends, whose lives she touched. Her kindness, generosity, and love will be remembered by all who knew her.

Viewing will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 2-6 p.m. at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35, Wall.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 20th at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady Star of The Sea Beach Chapel, 554 E Main Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736 followed by the entombment at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt.

In lieu of flowers donations in Joan’s name can be made to the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention, 140B Lefante Way, Bayonne, NJ 07002 or https://www.mflfoundation.com/.