Joanne Koprowski

Joanne Koprowski (Ford) of Verona, New Jersey passed away on May 18, 2026 in Livingston, New Jersey.

Born on November 23, 1949, Joanne was a compassionate soul, always mindful of the feelings and needs of others. Her empathetic nature drew people to her, creating bonds of friendship that were both deep and lasting. Joanne’s loving spirit was a beacon of warmth and affection, touching the lives of all who knew her. Her thoughtful actions, whether big or small, were always carried out with the utmost care and consideration.

Joanne was a woman of many achievements. A graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Hoboken, she demonstrated her selflessness early on by working to put her beloved husband, Walt, through law school. This foundation eventually led him to become a New Jersey Superior Court Judge. Joanne was enormously proud of her husband and their life. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-own "Fancy That", a charming gift store on Bloomfield Ave in Verona. Later, she found great joy in her role as an administrative assistant at Fairview Insurance Agency Associates, also in Verona. There, she not only built a satisfying career but friendships that were among her most valued. An active member of many organizations, she was part of the Junior Woman's Club of Verona, Minette's Angels Foundation and a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church. As per Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” Joanne embodied this verse through her acts of kindness and generosity.

Joanne built a beautiful life in Verona with Walt. Her love for beauty was evident in her home, which she took great pride in and in her own appearance, as she was always the best-dressed woman in the room. Her enormous capacity for sympathy and her gift of making anyone feel loved and included were among her most cherished qualities. Joanne had a sweet tooth, with a particular love for ice cream and crumb cake and held a deep affection for her hometown of Jersey City and the lifelong friends she made there.

Joanne is survived by her husband Walt; her children, Jillian (Joe) Roskin and Timothy (Sara) Koprowski; her grandchildren, Walter Roskin and Ford Koprowski; her sister, Kelly (Robert) Gebhard and their sons, Christopher (Jennifer) and Robert; her sister-in-law, Janet Ford and her daughters, Julia (Matthew) and Bridget; and sister-in-law, Dolores (Fred) Schmidt and their son, Andrew (Jill); and her mother-in-law, Geraldine Koprowski.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Francis X., Sr. and Marion Ford; her brother, Francis X. Ford; her father-in-law, Walter Koprowski; and her brother-in-law, James Koprowski.

Visitation will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 10:00 am in Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, 28 Lakeside Avenue, Verona. Parking is in the rear of the church with entrance on Montrose Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name to the Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona, NJ 07044 (www.veronars.org) or the Verona Lions Club, P.O. Box 38, Verona,
New Jersey 07044 (https://lionsclubveronanj.org/) would be greatly appreciated.

We invite you to share your cherished memories and upload photos of Joanne to her memorial page at www.proutfuneralhome.com.

Her legacy of love and compassion will continue to inspire us all.