Joan Mission, Part of Middletown's First Women's Traveling Basketball Team, Dies at 81

The following was submitted by the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home:

Joan Misson (nee Groot), 81, of the Belford section of Middletown, passed away on Jan. 26, 2014 at home.

Joan was born on April 13, 1932 and was a lifelong resident of the township. Joan graduated from Middletown High School (currently High School North) and was an avid sports fan. She participated in many different organized sports throughout her lifetime and was part of the township’s first women’s traveling basketball teams.

She married Thomas Misson in 1955 and has been happily married for 58 years.

Joan worked as a banker with Wells Fargo and its predecessor organizations (Keansburg-Middletown National Bank and United Counties Trust Company) before retiring in 1996. Since her retirement, she loved spending the winter months in Jupiter, Florida with her friends and hosting family reunions. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and was active in her church, St. Mary, Mother of God Church, New Monmouth, New Jersey and several charities.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, George and Elizabeth Groot, her brother William Groot, and sisters Betty Kantusky, Florence Glazer, Margaret Groot, and Rita Tanner.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Tom, and sons Thomas Jr. of New York, NY; Scott and wife Kelly Misson of Belford, New Jersey; Glenn and wife Gina Misson of Middletown, New Jersey. She is also survived by her six grandchildren (Nicholas, Matthew, Scott Jr, Morgan, Christopher, and Paige); several nieces and nephews (including Dawn Plath, George Smith and wife Dawn, Margaret Bergin and husband William) and many other grand nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit Joan at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Chapel, 26 Leonardville Rd., Middletown on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in Joan’s name.

For more information, directions, or to send condolences please visit www.pflegerfh.com.