Joyce M Sauer

Joyce M. Whelan Sauer

Born in Elizabeth N.J, Joyce was the youngest of five children, Jimmy (Chu), Joan (Al), Buddy
(Eileen), Jacqueline (Bill), parents Elizabeth Hoefling and James A Whelan Sr. She attended
Sacred Heart Grammar and High School.
Joyce met the love of her life, Joseph John Sauer, in high school. They were married 49 1/2
years and were blessed with six children, Joanne (John), Nancy, Katrina (Shaun), Susan (Jim),
Joyce (Jeff) and Joseph (Patty). She was called Oma by her Outlaws and 28 grandchildren and
GiGi by her 4 great grandchildren with one on the way affectionally called peanut. Many friends
of the family called her Oma too!
She worked for the Bell Telephone out of High School, got married and retired many years while
being a fulltime mother of six. She went back to Bell Telephone and was operator 276. She
was known for calling and singing. I just called to say I Love YOU.
She was a member of St. Genevieve’s Alter Rosary society, member the Knights of Columbus
the Lady Auxiliary Council 253. She was the cookie chairman for Joan Santos troop 896, which
she had to lock the door so her children wouldn’t eat all the cookies.
She enjoyed spending time at the Jersey Shore in Ocean Gate Swimming, Crabbing and
dinners at the Anchor. Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day were staple celebrations
that was attended by her whole family. As her children’s family grew and got older the
celebration always included Happy Hour with a BBQ ending at Oma’s and Pop’s house. Oma
loved to dance and sing even though she didn’t know the words to the song and she had no
problem making up her own lyrics.
She was the life of the party and always the last one to leave, as her husband would say no
sense of being a Whelan if you didn’t act like one.
Her presence will be forever in our hearts, because she was “Simply the Best”.
Oma was not a fan of spending money on flowers, because of her beautiful heart, she would
rather you donate to a charity of choice.