Joan (GaGa) Falat Thomson, 90, of Berkeley Twp. passed away Monday, August 28, 2023, in Toms River. Born in Blakeslee, PA, raised throughout PA, and later resided in various areas in North Jersey before settling down in West Paterson and later moving to Berkeley Twp. in 1998. Joan worked as a bookkeeper and executive secretary for much of her career at various organizations. She was an active member of The First Presbyterian Church of Passaic, where she regularly volunteered, worked in the kitchen, and taught fitness classes.
Joan was raised by John Falat and Catherine Messura, a coal miner and homemaker, alongside, with five siblings. She is predeceased by both parents and siblings Catherine (Kitty) Chiapparoli, Loretta Slaska and Diane (Cookie) Brown. She is survived by her siblings Jack Falat and Barbara “Basha” Galiger.
Joan met Bill (Thomson), the love of her life, at the Clifton Pool. They worked together as Lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors there and at several local lakes. She was an avid athlete, who participated in synchronized swimming, ice skating, roller skating, and swimming. The pair skated, swam, and together shared the interest of health and fitness.
Playing a major role in the lives of her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, she found immense joy in weekly family meals and holiday celebrations. Joan was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, William Thomson on March 14, 2023, and her son-in-law Randy J. Hallock in 2015. She is survived by two daughters Patricia C. Hallock of Lavallette, Penny T. Irwin and her husband, Robert of Toms River, four grandchildren, Joseph Randy Hallock, Stefanie Hallock Bengel and her husband, Jonathan, Patricia Anne Irwin, Robert (Bobby) William Irwin, three great-grandchildren, Jonathan Randy Bengel, Sofia Hope Bengel, and Brayden James Bengel.
A Memorial gathering will take place on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home, 119 Union Ave., Lakehurst., NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stand Up to Cancer in Joan’s memory.