(June 25, 1932 - November 10, 2025)
Nurturing Was in Her Nature
Family was important to long-time Montgomery Township resident Joan Martha Cosgrove Raymond, who died at age 93 on November 10.
Joan was a wife, mother, grandmother and in the years after her nest emptied an expert gardener. Nurturing was in her nature.
The 1950 film “Cheaper by the Dozen” resonated with her. She wanted a large family. While working at Cyanamid, after graduating Bound Brook High School, her friend Julie Merk introduced her to a young man, Henry Raymond, who would become her husband and from there the two embarked on a journey to have that large family. After welcoming her two daughters she was undeterred by setbacks in achieving her large family dream and had her two sons.
Although not a farm girl, Joan was eager to move from town to the farm. She loved the animals and would be game to try any farm tasks. Joan was also involved in community activities particularly leading flowers for the church and the Neshanic Garden Club. She served the Neshanic Garden Club for over 30 years including as president and vice president.
People often turned to her to organize events such as funeral repasts at the Harlingen Reformed Church, where she was a member for over 45 years.
She is proceeded in death by her husband of 56 years and her first grand-child, Laura Davis. She is survived by her children, Beth, Lyne, Henry, and Thomas; her grand-children Liam, Ronald, Bryan, Meaghan, and Everett and her great-grandchildren Henry, Sarah, August, Ronan, and Lazlo.
She is buried in the Unionville Cemetery in Montgomery with her husband.
