Obituary of Josephine Van Deventer

Josephine (“Josie”), M. Van Deventer died peacefully on December 4, 2018 at her home in Morristown, New Jersey. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills, NJ on Tuesday December 11th at 11:15 AM.  Interment St. Rose of Lima Cemetery.  Arrangements are by The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, Maplewood.  In lieu of flowers donations to Alzheimer’s Association Greater NJ Chapter, 425 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068 would be appreciated.

Josie was born (and raised) in Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York City on December 18, 1927.  She was the third child (all girls), of Joseph and Ellen (Monahan) Meade. She adored her big sisters Margaret (predeceased) and Helen and they pampered her.  They had a wonderful childhood.

 She married Peter B. Van Deventer of Yonkers, New York in 1951.  They had four sons, Peter (wife Susan), Kenneth (wife Kimberly), John (wife Melody), and Paul (wife Denise), thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  Her husband Peter and sister Margaret predeceased her.

Before moving to Morristown Josie and Pete lived in Glen Ellyn, Ill. and Short Hills, NJ. They also loved family gatherings at their summer cottage in Chadwick Beach Island, NJ.

Josie took pride in the fact that her parents, both of whom were Irish immigrants emphasized the importance of education and were able to provide all three of their daughters with a college education.  Josie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of Mt.  St. Vincent and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from New York University in New York City.

Josie was a teacher at Deerfield School in Millburn, NJ for over twenty years. Next to family, friends, and her faith in God, teaching was the passion of her life.  Until her final moments, she would talk proudly of her students, their families and her professional colleagues, many of who became lifelong friends.  She also served on the first Board of Education of St. Rose of Lima school in Short Hills under the leadership of the late Bishop Dougherty.

After retiring, Josie volunteered as a Teacher’s Aide in the Salerno School in Stuart, Florida (where she and Peter wintered) and the Christ Child Society in Hobe Sound which provides services to young, underprivileged pregnant women.

The family is grateful for the overwhelming messages of condolence and support that they have received.  The message has been  consistent - - Josie was a force of nature, with just a touch of the devil in her, who touched a lot of lives in a very positive manner, made those in her company laugh and whose twinkling blue Irish eyes will be remembered fondly whenever family and friends gather.  It was truly a life well lived.