A long year has passed. The October 7 mass killing and  hostage crisis in Israel is horrific. It is a. Testimony of this tiny country”s resilience. I’m an so glad we
We’re able to experience this beautiful country together. Love to Aura. Joan and Ted borowsky

There was noone quite like my  "Joanie". Years ago we both lived and raised our kids in Oradell. Then, we both were eventually divorced.

As Life has it, Joanie and I went our separate ways. By pure coincidence ( though there are no coincidences), almost 40 years passed, when our paths crossed again.

A friend living in Glen Cove Long Island, knew of a wonderful woman who worked in licensing, and who lived in my state of New Jersey. 

She said the women's  name was Joan Luks....could it really be? My Joanie?

The rest was history...we were history for eachother! I was Blessed with this amazing  person, who was elegance personified.  A truly brilliant and classy Dame! Joanie ended up writing my doll contract, and the doll will be released in 2025. 

I was the last person to be with her, hug her, and kiss her before the tragic accident. At the last lunch, 20 minutes before Joanie's essence was taken, she said to me," if anything should ever happen to me, I want my family to play Frank Sinatra's version of " NEW YORK, NEW YORK"!! You see, New York was Joanie's city. She loved going to Edgewater and sit looking out at her city. It's almost as if she knew.

Thank you Dearest Joanie, for enhancing my life by your presence.  I will love you Always and in All ways....Meridyth

It is one year today that I lost one of my dearest friends and my Mentor and my North Star. 

Thank you Joan for many special memories, fun times, many laughs and special conversations. 

Good friends are to be cherished, and you always will be. 

Rest in peace. 
We miss you terribly,
Cat & Isabella Francesca 
❤️🌸💕

My sincerest and heartfelt condolences.

I am completely heartbroken,
Cat Pluchino & Family

I first met Joan when we were both working at GUND…little did I know when a great friend I had found!  Under very difficult circumstances, Joan was kind, encouraging, and always had my back.  Although our work paths diverged,  we became close work friends for many years.  Joan had so much grace and love for others…I’m so blessed she chose me to be her friend.  Rest in peace, dear Joan. 

Hello,

I am an industry veteran and had many interactions with Joan...always professional and always with her smile and wonderful attitude.  My condolences to her family and may her memory be a blessing.

Sincerely,

Sid Kaufman

To Joan's Family - 

I was just thinking of Joan the other day, about how she was such a pleasure to work with while she was at Gund and I was with Warner Bros. I was actually going to call her a few weeks ago to ask for advice about a plush products manufacturer but got sidetracked and never did. 

Joan was always there to help and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Her kindness, sincerity, and professionalism has left her mark on many, including me. 

Sending you my sincerest love and condolences. 

Warmest regards, Roxanne Gray 

 No words can truly express how sorry I am for her loss.  Joan was an elegant, kind person, who was a class act. When I first met her I was drawn into her kindness and  loveliness. I knew I had to get to know her.  As I got to know her, she was a person I came to rely on and respect for advice in this business. She was a real pro. But most  of all, I always looked forward to seeing her. Some people are irreplaceable. Joan was a real gem. May her star continue to shine and her name always a blessing. I miss you Joan. 

Aura - Seeing you and your sister together was indeed a joy. Thank you for allowing me to enter your world and putting up with my shenanigans.   
We shared the same name - God's gracious gift.
We shared laughter, learning, and appreciation for life.
We shared mutual dear friends (the Kislevitz family) from River Edge.
I loved sharing every moment with you. 

One of the nicest people in the Licensing Industry. We never did business together (came close) but would catch up yearly at the Expo in Las Vegas. One of the good ones...she'll be missed. 

I was stunned to hear of Joan’s passing. I was lucky enough to have met Joan when we were pitching pat the bunny over 20 years ago. She believed in us, coached us, and helped us build a successful brand. Joan was a mentor, a friend, and brightness on a rainy day. To her family, I am so sorry for your loss and hope in time the memories you built together turn into light and laughter.  Joan always recounted wonderful stories of her children and grandchildren. She was so proud.  To you Joan, we spoke not too long ago. We were going to go to the Matchbox Cafe. So when I am there I will save a seat for you and remember how thankful I am to have known you. 

The world was a much better place with Mrs. Luks in it.  She was funny, inspirational, at times irreverent, honest, supportive...the list goes on.  A great friend to our ENTIRE family.  Growing up with Howard and Rebecca and having Mrs. Luks as a second mother is something that will remain with me forever.  Peace and comfort to all family and friends that knew this amazing, inspirational woman.

Alexander Reist

I send my deepest condolences to Joan's family of their unexpected tremendous  loss, I grieve with you.
Joan was an amazing women.  Her work was impeccable , her thought of intellect was difficult to question, she was brilliant!
She will be missed but forever loved...
Love you Joan,
Max

Joan was such a gracious leader as President of WiT.  Her loving kindness is what always struck me about how she interacted with us.  Amazing that she continued to work well into her 70's.  What a wonderful woman!

We are devastated to hear of Joan's passing. She was a true leader and champion for children. She provided The Reading League's Reading Buddies with invaluable advice and information when we were just starting out and help us mold a growth plan to expand our mission to help all children learn to read. She will be missed by many. Our deepest condolences to all who loved her and were touched by her exuberance and care. 


Yes, Joan was a beloved  colleague, mentor and friend who fought for all of us in her own classy (but sharp) method.  Joan was a partner in all of our important work in the toy business, as well as in our personal lives. There are no words that can explain -- just laughter, crying and big hugs.

I first met Joan over 40 years ago, and immediately felt her grace and warmth. Our children were similar ages, and we both resided, a few blocks from one another, in Oradell.
Life took its turns for both of us, and we went in different directions. However, fate was on our side. I needed some licensing advice, and a Long Island friend suggested Joan Luks in N.J.! Was this the same Joanie, who I knew, so many years ago? Yes, one in the same..the rest is history...though short, it was a  "wonderful ride" for both of us. We connected as if no time had passed! How Blessed am I, to have been given the most wonderful gift of frienship, from the most wonderful person. We spoke for hours almost every night, and I learned all about her cherished family. She always said that NOTHING would ever come between her and her family. I will miss you Dearest Joan, and thank you for making me a better person.  You were a lady with CLASS & MOXIE!!! Love Always  and in All Ways...Meridyth Mischel Webber 


Joan was such a dear caring wonderful woman that I admired, respected, and imagined with us for many years more. The people that Joan positively influenced are too enormous to count. So many of us in the toy and gift industries were incredibly fortunate to work and become friends with Joan. Oh how I will miss Joan, and I know Joan's genuine love for her family and friends will always be in our midst. My heart goes out to each one of you in Joan’s immediate family, because I know her positive impact is magnified in you. I hope you can huddle together and find comfort in the genuine love that Joan has instilled and given to each of you...and to the world. 
With love and deepest sympathy, Kate Karcher Clark



Joan was a true friend. She was kind, sweet and wonderful. Joan’s WIT Presidency followed mine and I adored working with her! We had a ton of fun and accomplished a lot together. Sending all our condolences to her family, who she truly cherished. May her memory be a blessing. 

Sending love and warmest regards, 
Patti Becker
PBecker@BeckerAssoc.com
203.321.6813

There are no words to express the sadness and hole created by Joan’s absence. She was a beautiful light and driving force who always looked on the bright side of everything and stayed optimistic. She stood up for her beliefs and was incredibly caring and generous. Joan would always speak of her children and grandchildren whom she loved dearly. I communicated with Joan almost every week since the pandemic started…I loved her and valued her friendship! I will miss her so so much! May her memory be a blessing for all who knew and loved her. To her family, we send our love and deepest sympathies. Stephanie, Elise & Adrian. 

Words cannot express our sadness. Our visits with Joan were always so special and the memories will be cherished forever. As your hearts are weeping, may the love and support that surround you give you comfort. May she walk beside you forever.

With our deepest condolences.

Walter & Cindy Petuck


Joan was a friend and a valued colleague. I'm so shocked and saddened by this. I treasured her in so many ways. She will be missed always.

There was no one I have ever met that stood up for and by those she cared about like Joan. Joan was a one of kind crusader who cherished her family, friends and coworkers. I can not even tell you how many times she was there for me when I was low with  kindness and love. 
One of  kind, she leaves a huge hole in the toy community she worked so long. She left such a mark on this world. My heart and love goes out to her beloved daughter, son and their families as well as her sister. As part of her toy family I am forever grateful that she was a part of my life. 
Much love and condolences,
Ann Jasperson and Col Stone

OBITUARY

Joan Packard-Luks

March 14, 1946 – September 4, 2023

Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors

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