Joan M. (Meeker) Skrobala

Joan Meeker Skrobala, 89, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, at home in Ramsey, NJ, after a short illness. She was born in Hempstead, Long Island, to Marie Straub Meeker and Augustine Meeker. She met her husband, Thomas Skrobala, at a dance at the College of New Rochelle in 1954. Tom went into the army 10 days later, serving in Hawaii, and their romance blossomed through letters. They married in 1956, after which she transferred to Hofstra University, graduating in 1958. Tom and Joan lived in Hempstead for several years before relocating to Ramsey, NJ, in 1964. She was the mother of six children and welcomed their spouses into the family with warmth and grace. She became the loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

Joan was deeply religious and embodied the values of her faith through her kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. In addition to caring for her family, she opened her home to many others in need, not only on holidays, but throughout the year. She always remembered birthdays and other important events and devoted great thought to the theme of her annual Christmas gifts to her children. Her grandchildren delighted in her signature birthday cakes and famous meringue cookies. Nothing gave her more pleasure than being surrounded by her family; some of her happiest moments were the times when her children and grandchildren could all come together for the holidays. 

Joan was devoted to the Adorno Fathers and to her parish, St. Paul in Ramsey, where she assisted in many volunteer efforts and was one of the original members of the parish council. She traveled all over the world, visiting her children in the Netherlands, China, Tunisia, and Spain and going on pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Medjugorje. One of her biggest adventures was spending three weeks helping the Adorno Fathers with their mission in Zaire, Africa, with her son Tom. She was a lifelong baseball fan and could often be found watching a Mets game on television. 

Joan is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Thomas; her children Joseph (Kathleen), Stephen (Daica), Anne Marie Fotino (Thomas), Catherine Durden (Terry), and Mary Beth Warrener (Kevin); her daughter-in-law Nancy Vorsanger; her grandchildren Jaime, Anna, Daniel, Sarah, Kate (Connor), Olivia, Audrey, Matthew, Bryan, Lance, Maya, Angus, Ford, Roark, and Andrew; and her great-grandchildren Noah and Logan. She was predeceased by her son Thomas, her grandson Peter, her parents, her sister Vera, and her brother Harry.

Visitation will be held at the Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave, Ramsey, on Thursday, October 16, from 4:00-8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 17, at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 200 Wyckoff Avenue, Ramsey, NJ, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Maryrest cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah NJ. 

Donations in her honor can be made to the Adorno Fathers, 575 Darlington Ave, Ramsey, NJ, 07446. 

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