Mary Joan Kaverick

Mary “Joan” Kaverick, 100, of Kenilworth, NJ, passed away peacefully March 6, 2025. Joan was born
April 27, 1924 in Bayonne, NJ to the late John and Helen Barrett. Joan worked as a Probation
Investigator for the county of Union for over 20 years and previously as a waitress at King’s Court and
the Kenilworth Inn. She moved her family to Kenilworth in 1953 with her late husband, Frank Kaverick.
She was a devoted parishioner to St. Theresa’s church. Joan was an avid traveler cherishing her many
trips around the globe with family and friends, and especially with her late brother, Jack Barrett. She
spoke often about her favorite trips to Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, other countries in Europe, the
Grand Canyon, many Caribbean cruises, and a safari in Africa. In retirement, she cherished her time at
her shore house in Wildwood Crest where friends and family were always welcomed and visited from
near and far. She enjoyed her daily walks to the beach (and always turned down rides from her able
bodied younger relatives), where she read books from her favorite authors: James Patterson and Clive
Cussler. In the evenings, she would hold court on her deck while having a Gin and Tonic and listening to
Frank Sinatra and eventually moving inside to beat everybody in “Jeopardy.” She was the life of every
party. A fiercely intelligent and no nonsense woman who was ahead of her time in so many ways.
Joan was a loving mother to four children: Joanne Palkevich (Gordon), Francis “Barry” Kaverick
(Marlene), Susan Buss (Ron), and Robert Kaverick (Sandy). She was a devoted grandmother to 8
grandchildren: Brad Palkevich, Jeff Palkevich (Melanie), Karen Szala (Paul), Barry Kaverick (Lisa), Greg
Buss (Ashley), John Buss, Sean Kaverick (Caitlin), and Ryan Kaverick. She also had 11 adoring great-
grandchildren whose visits made her light up with joy.
Joan was predeceased by her husband Frank Kaverick, son Barry Kaverick, siblings Jack Barrett (Dorothy)
and Muriel Galati, son in law Gordon Palkevich, and many adoring friends.
She is survived by many loving friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kenilworth Senior Citizen’s Center where she enjoyed
spending time in her later years.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 4-7pm at the Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home,

582 Springfield Ave, Westfield.  Funeral mass will be on Monday at 10:30am at

St Theresa RC Church, with interment to follow at Graceland Memorial Park, both in Kenilworth.