Joan Elizabeth Beard nee Higgins, died July 15th, 2023. She was 90 years old. Joan was born in June, 1933 on Staten Island, NY.  Her father Peter Higgins died when she was three. She was raised on Staten Island by her mother Janet Craig Higgins until her untimely passing when Joan was 15.  Joan went to live in NJ with her Aunt and Uncle and became a telephone operator.  She met the love of her life James (Don) Beard, while he was on leave from the Navy. They married in May of 1953, and raised their family in NJ. They would have been married 70 years this past May, but for James' passing in January, 2023. Joan's strong constitution, which got her through a not easy early life, kept her spirts up and she celebrated her 90th birthday at a party in her honor, with her children by her side.
Joan is survived by her daughter Darlene Forsythe, sons Keith and Kevin (Phyllis), grandson Christopher Forsythe (Jennifer) and great granddaughter Emma Forsythe. She was pre-deceased by her husband James, and her son-in-law Michael Forsythe.
Joan was a good loving wife and mother. A big sister to her brothers and a kind and loving aunt to her many nieces  and nephews.
Joan loved her husband, children and extended family.  Holiday dinners or camp ground weekends with everyone gathered eating and laughing made her happiest. When her beloved "Don" called and reached for her hand, she was ready, at peace and happy to be by his side and together once again. It was time. Joan was loved by many and will be missed by each and everyone of them.