Joyce H. Kanach

Joyce Hoffman Kanach, 72, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at her home. She had Parkinson’s disease.

A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, she lived in Hunterdon County for her whole life. The daughter of Martin and Blanche Higgins Hoffman, she was born in Bound Brook on June 19, 1942, and grew up in Flemington.

Joyce was a member of the first class to spend all four high school years at Hunterdon Central High School, graduating in 1960. She met her husband, Gerald Kanach, at HCHS, and they were married in 1964. They marked their 50th anniversary in October.

After high school, Joyce attended beauty school and then worked for several years as a hairstylist at a salon in Pennington.

The couple lived on a farm in East Amwell Township for 50 years, and Joyce was proficient at canning and freezing their garden’s harvest.

Joyce was a very good cook and a talented seamstress. Not only did she make clothing for herself and others, but she also made outfits for her daughter’s and nieces’ Barbie dolls.

She loved Hummel figurines, and she enjoyed riding snowmobiles with her family, both near her home and in Old Forge, N.Y. Over the years, the Kanachs raised many border collies as pets.

She cherished her Hunterdon roots and loved to stay on top of county news.

Joyce was predeceased by her sister, Doris Miller, in 2011, and her parents many years ago.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Susan Kanach, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; her daughter and son-in-law, Suellen and Mike Frederick of Clinton Township; her grandchildren, Saralyn, John, Trace and Paige Frederick; her step-grandchildren, Claire Rosenzweig and husband Nick, Ryan Corley and Matt Corley; her step-great-grandchildren Carter and Kate Rosenzweig; her mother-in-law, Stella Kanach of East Amwell Township; her uncle, Paul Hoffman of Flemington, and numerous in-laws, nephews and nieces (one of whom is named after her).

The family extends its appreciation to her wonderful caregivers, Klara and Barbara.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home in Flemington. Services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Amwell Valley Fire Company, PO Box 50, Ringoes, NJ 08551, or to the Amwell Valley Rescue Squad, PO Box 147, Ringoes, NJ 08551.

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences