Joan Heinle Sass

Joan Eileen Sass (nee Heinle), 92, of Bloomfield, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, October 16, 2024, at her home from complications due to a stroke and a broken heart from the loss of her husband three years ago.

The family will receive relatives, friends and guests on Friday, October 18th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Levandoski-Grillo Funeral Home, 44 Bay Ave., Bloomfield. The Funeral will be conducted at the Funeral Home on Saturday, October 19th at 9:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Valentine's R.C. Church, 125 N. Spring St., Bloomfield followed by the burial at Glendale Cemetery, 28 Hoover Ave., Bloomfield.

Mrs. Sass was born in Newark on December 5, 1931 and relocated to Bloomfield in 1935. She was the daughter of the late John Edward Heinle and Josephine Eleanor Philhower, originally spelt Fillhower.

While growing up in Bloomfield, she attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, South Junior High School and Bloomfield Senior High School graduating in 1950. She was a telemarketer for Nationwide Inc. and The Newark Star Ledger, both with offices located in Bloomfield. Before that she worked as a clerk for MGM Records, Lehn and Fink Cosmetics and Skin Cream Co., and as a baser for Westinghouse Corp., also all located in Bloomfield. For years, she was a very active member of the Bloomfield-Glen Ridge Animal League.

Mrs. Sass was also a descendant of Obadiah Bruen, one of the founding fathers of Newark, N.J. in 1666, and three Revolutionary War soldiers: Joseph Bruen of Newark, Henry Holdren of Sussex County and David Bruen of Madison, N.J.

Mrs. Sass was well loved by her family, friends and everyone who knew her. She was the life of the party and attended all events that involved her children and grandchildren. Her kindness, generosity and vibrant personality will always be remembered.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, John (2021) and her son, Robert Brian (1959). She is survived by her cherished children, John Andrew, Jeffrey Thomas, and Jennifer Mary (late Paul John) Kelm, and her precious grandchildren, Paul John Kelm Jr. and his wife, Stephanie (nee Malfettano), and Amanda Erin Kelm and her fiancé, Omar Pinto-Diaz, all of Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital ( https://www.stjude.org ).