Joan Beverly O’Neil – Descendent of Founder of Trenton

Joanie O’Neil passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, Florida after battling a long illness – her son and soulmate Thomas by her side.

She is a descendant of Enoch Andrus (Anderson), one of the first settlers of Trenton – whose grandson Ezekiel Anderson, fought for George Washington during the French and Indian War and the American War of Independence. Private Ezekiel Anderson was one of General Washington’s Guides during the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and also fought at Yorktown for the 2d New Jersey Continentals.

Born in Trenton in 1942, and a proud graduate of Ewing High School Class of 1959, Joanie lived by her senses - she would take private walks with Albert Einstein as a little girl in Princeton when visiting relatives. While strolling along together they would analyze the intricacies of fallen leaves, and embrace the qualities of nature. She maintained that sensual awareness and love for nature and beauty her whole life, and always kept her heart open to those in need.

She was married twice, had three children - Todd Raymond O’Neil, Tara Elizabeth Lesser and Thomas Almon O’Neil III, and spent most of her life in the greater Trenton area. She lived a proudly independent life in south Florida since 1993, and remained best friends with her classmate from Ewing High School for 55 years! Her greatest achievement was being an incredibly loving mother, sister and friend to those who knew her and she will be greatly missed by those she touched. Joan is also survived by her brother, Robert Barker of Tucson, AZ. She took great pride in her final project as a member of the Speaker’s Bureau for Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek, Florida while her son “Tomkin” assisted her with her brave fight against a fatal illness. Donations can be made to the American Lung Association.