Joan Haggerty, 85, of Exeter, the former Joan Rowan of Pittston Township, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 27, 2017, at the Center for Hope Hospice, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, surrounded by her family.  She had been residing in New Jersey, near her son, Sean, daughter-in-law, Jill, and their family since March.  

Born in Pittston, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret McNulty Rowan.  She was a 1950 graduate of Pittston Township High School, and was a homemaker all of her life.

A devout Catholic, she was an active member of St. Cecilia's Church, now St. Barbara’s Parish, for more than 50 years. She was a member of St. Cecilia's Altar and Rosary Society and a member of the Greater Pittston Women's Club.  She served as a lunch mother at Wyoming Area Catholic School for several years.  

In retirement, she and her husband, Edward R. Haggerty, enjoyed dancing and were active in the local Big Band Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, in 2015; brothers, Thomas, Gerard, Edward Jr., William and Michael Rowan; and sisters, Marie Rowan, Doris Lavery, Leola Delahunty and Elizabeth Martin.

Surviving are her children, Edward, who resides with his wife, Judy, Rowland Heights, California.; Maggie, who resides with her husband, Jim, Cooperstown, New York; and Sean, who resides with his wife, Jill, Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Also surviving are grandchildren, Erica and Eddie Haggerty, California; Autumn Arthurs, North Carolina; Mallory Arthurs, New York; and Ryan and Katelyn Haggerty, New Jersey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2017, from Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter followed by a  Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church, St. Barbara's Parish, Wyoming Avenue, Exeter.

Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.

Relatives and friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2017 at Gubbiotti Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, for their exceptional and loving care of their mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, 1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076, in memory of their mother, Joan Haggerty.  Contributions may be made through the hospice website at http://www.cfhh.org.  Envelopes for donations also will be available at the funeral home.


To send the family an expression of sympathy or an online condolence, please visit www.gubbiottifh.com.