Joan H. Adler (Burst), born on October 19, 1936, in East Orange, NJ, to Bertha (Arnold) and Leonard Burst, passed away on August 8, 2024. Joan was a devoted wife, loving mother, beloved mother-in-law, cherished grandmother and an accomplished artist. She was an advocate for animal welfare and the underserved who made a lasting impact on everyone she encountered.
Joan graduated from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, NJ, and after working at PSE&G in Newark, NJ, for three years, she attended and graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth (now Saint Elizabeth University) in 1961, where she considered a career in fashion design. However, she was ultimately drawn to education and chose to begin her career as an art teacher, where she inspired many with her creativity and passion for the arts. Later, she chose to dedicate her time to raising her four children with Karl, a role she embraced with deep gratitude and love. Her transition from teaching to nurturing her family reflected her commitment to both her professional and personal life.
In 1962, Joan married Doctor Karl P. Adler with whom she shared a life filled with love and cherished memories. Together, they raised four sons: Paul L. Adler, Bruce L. Adler, Peter M. Adler, and Karl P. Adler Jr., who predeceased her. She adored her daughters-in-law Pamela (Harrison), Michelle (Light) and Lisa (Levine) and her grandchildren Harrison, Karl Patrick, Allison and Lucas, who brought immense joy to her life. She was a loving and attentive grandmother who always made time for her family.
Joan and her husband eventually settled into their home in the Yorkville neighborhood in Manhattan, where they enjoyed walkability, as well as easy access to great restaurants, the theater and book stores. They also cherished time spent in their retreat on the Great Sacandaga Lake in Upstate NY, where they found peace and rejuvenation amidst nature’s beauty. The Adirondack landscape and its seasonal changes inspired many of her beautiful paintings. Her art can be found in local shops and friends’ and family members’ homes.
She will be remembered for her kindness, her generosity, and her love of animals. Joan supported numerous initiatives aimed at rescuing, caring for, and finding homes for animals in need. Her commitment to improving the lives of animals reflected her deep compassion and dedication to making the world a better place for all living creatures.
Joan's memory will live on in the hearts of her husband, her sons, her daughters-in-law, and her beloved grandchildren, as well as all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy of love, art, and family will continue to inspire those who knew her.
A funeral mass for Joan will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Manhattan.
It was Joan's Wish that in lieu of flowers a memorial tribute be made in the form of charitable donations to Food for the Poor (FFTP) or Animal Care Centers of NYC.
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