Obituary for Joan Marie Alford (Berka)
Joan Alford went home to be with the Lord on the evening of Friday December 28, 2018. She was at peace in her home surrounded by her devoted family.
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Joan was the daughter of the late Walter and Elizabeth Berka. She is survived by her son Garry Alexander; her son Clifford Reynolds and his wife Lois Stephens; her daughter Pamela Cassell and her husband Frank; and her sisters Ilene Tuzzi and Madeleine Lavin. Joan was an adoring grandmother to Sam Reynolds and his wife Megan; Casey Reynolds; Caitlyn Cloud and her husband Justin; and Sarah Mason. She was also a doting great-grandmother to Lillian Jodlbauer; Brody and Rory Cloud; and Peyton, Aliana, and Josephine Reynolds.
Joan was the matriarch of her family, around which her loving family gathered for annual holiday celebrations. Joan’s greatest love was her family and enjoyed making happy memories with her children and grandchildren. She was a pillar of strength and inspiration to her family, career, and community circles.
Joan was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Union, New Jersey. She went on to earn a certificate in Interior Design eventually opening ASC Office Furniture, Inc. She was an active member of Altrusa International Inc. and served as president of the Washington DC chapter. After retiring, Joan moved to the Northern Neck of Virginia where she volunteered as a researcher for Historic Christ Church.
A public graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 1:00 p. m. at Historic Christ Church Burying Grounds in Weems, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Historic Christ Church Foundation, P. O. Box 24, Irvington, VA 22480 in Joan’s name.
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Joan was the daughter of the late Walter and Elizabeth Berka. She is survived by her son Garry Alexander; her son Clifford Reynolds and his wife Lois Stephens; her daughter Pamela Cassell and her husband Frank; and her sisters Ilene Tuzzi and Madeleine Lavin. Joan was an adoring grandmother to Sam Reynolds and his wife Megan; Casey Reynolds; Caitlyn Cloud and her husband Justin; and Sarah Mason. She was also a doting great-grandmother to Lillian Jodlbauer; Brody and Rory Cloud; and Peyton, Aliana, and Josephine Reynolds.
Joan was the matriarch of her family, around which her loving family gathered for annual holiday celebrations. Joan’s greatest love was her family and enjoyed making happy memories with her children and grandchildren. She was a pillar of strength and inspiration to her family, career, and community circles.
Joan was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Union, New Jersey. She went on to earn a certificate in Interior Design eventually opening ASC Office Furniture, Inc. She was an active member of Altrusa International Inc. and served as president of the Washington DC chapter. After retiring, Joan moved to the Northern Neck of Virginia where she volunteered as a researcher for Historic Christ Church.
A public graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 1:00 p. m. at Historic Christ Church Burying Grounds in Weems, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Historic Christ Church Foundation, P. O. Box 24, Irvington, VA 22480 in Joan’s name.