Joann Lang

She was born on March 17, 1926 in New York City and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on September 2, 2024.

She was a lifelong resident of New York who held a BA from Bard College and an MSW from NYU.

Joann lived a long, full life. She loved to create “ditzies” (miniature houses) with her sister, play bridge, talk politics, tend to her bonsai trees, stress over the NY Giants on Sundays, support the arts, and visit her favorite hot dog stand.

Joann cared deeply about others and made a lasting impact on the community. In 1993, Joann, along with Safe Horizon opened a fully-owned and operated domestic violence shelter which was named Lang House in honor of Joann and Todd Lang. Joann has been an active board member since 1997 and was honored with Lifetime of Service Awards from Safe Horizon on two occasions. She also served on the Board of The Jewish Home and Hospital for 30 years and was a member of the Resident Care Committee.

Joann was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Todd Lang and her parents Gerald and Leo Rosenberger. She is survived by her sister Gerrie Soman, children William Lang MD (Sandra Smith-Lang MD), James Lang (Sally Lindsey), Nancy Lang Adler (Howard Adler), Carolyn Kay (William Kay), grandchildren Jessica Wachler (Justin Wachler), Stephanie Ulan (Jeremy Ulan), Becky Reback (Daniel Rebeck), Margo Lang Gandhi (Avinash Gandhi), Michael Adler (Alessandra Woodman), Seth Lang (Alex Marquez-Shaw), Bryan Lang, Jamie Adler (Adam Ades), David Lang (Maria Lang), and great grandchildren Charlotte Ulan, Zachary Wachler, Marley Reback, Riley Ulan, Max Wachler, Owen Reback, Jordan Ulan and Ruby Gandhi.

She strongly believed that life is meant to be enjoyed, family comes first, and “everything is better with butter.”

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Safe Horizon/Lang House, the nation’s leading victim assistance organization serving survivors of all forms of violence, at 2 Lafayette Street – 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10007.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 5 at 11:30 A.M. at Temple Emanu-El – Fifth Avenue at East 65th Street, New York City.