Joan H. Hoyt, longtime resident of Spring Lake and Brick Township, NJ, passed away peacefully at 12:10 AM on Thursday, July 5th, 2018. Joan is predeceased by her late husband, L. Arthur “Otty” Hoyt, and her two sons, Stephen and Keith. Joan is survived and loved deeply by her children, Adrienne Gilman and her husband, Richard (Mississippi), Marcia Floden (New Jersey), Scott Hoyt and his wife, Ana (Kentucky), Allyson Stuart and her husband, Charles (New Jersey), and Ruthie Hoyt (New Jersey), as well as her 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Joan was born on January 7, 1927, and grew up in Riverton, NJ, where she met her future husband at the age of seven years old. Joan’s greatest joy not only consisted of being a devoted wife to Otty and an incredible mother to her children, but consisted of sharing her passion and joy for living life to its fullest with all who had the honor of meeting her. As the matriarch of her adoring family, Joan was well known by relatives, friends, and strangers alike for her larger-than-life personality, her boisterous and contagious laugh, and her special gift of using her own life experiences to empathize with and guide others. Joan often said, “Treat the President and the janitor the same, and I promise you will succeed,” and living by this ideal helped her to win Lady of the Year at the Manasquan Elks in 1997.

More than anything, Joan loved to spend time with her family and friends, often reveling in special moments of singing around the piano during the holidays, baking Carmelitas with her grandchildren, watching Jeopardy or America’s Got Talent, or going to Atlantic City and playing Mr. Cashman. What made Joan the most special mom, grandmother, and individual, however, was her unique ability to love and be loved unconditionally by everyone who crossed her path. She brought pure joy, laughter, and gratitude even to the simplest or mundane of moments, and in doing so she inspired others to take pleasure in the small things that make life worthwhile. Joan’s infectious laugh and warm personality made every single person feel important and special, and because of this she will forever be loved and admired by all. Joan boldly shared her heart, her kindness, her wisdom, her passion, and her love, and she will forever live on in the hearts of those she has touched.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held on August 4th for family and close friends with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family asks that a donation be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her honor.