Joan Marie Cameron

Joan Marie Cameron, formerly of Little Falls, NJ

Born:  March 5, 1945 ~ Died:  September 19, 2021

A truly charitable person, Joan Marie Cameron, 76,  passed on Sunday, 9/19, in Gainesville, VA, after a brief but courageous battle with a rare form of leukemia. She was laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, Totowa, NJ.   She was loved by her family and many, many close friends who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Joan was born in Little Falls, NJ and graduated from Passaic Valley High School where she was remembered for her phenomenal gymnastic abilities.  Her sterling work ethic and excellent administrative skills led her through a variety of positions supporting leaders in educational institutions, defense contracting industries, to eventually attaining high level security clearance as she managed meetings for the NSA.  

Her adventurous spirit and her extraordinary managerial skills found her leaving NJ for life in Boston, and then the DC area.  She finally found her “sanctuary in the woods”  in Gainesville, VA, where she could have room for her much loved horses, dogs, and cat.  Horses became her passion and she rode thousands of miles over a period of 40 years, with wonderful rides in the Manassas Battlefield, as well as rides in Maryland and Pennsylvania.  An active member of The Battlefield Equestrian Society, she competed on trail rides, maintained the trails, and judged equestrian events.  She coached the local Special Olympics Equestrian Team.  She built equestrian programs and shows, and gave free lessons to all children.

Joan gallantly supported “Willing Warriors”, Haymarket, VA.,  an organization that provides cost-free retreat stays and programs that positively impact wounded, injured, and ill service members and disabled veterans.  She was instrumental in raising funds and developing the first group home for many servicemen.

Her lifelong humanitarian spirit was evidenced by volunteering and donations to Saint Jude’s , the Middleburg Humane Foundation, the American Liver Foundation, and Special Olympics.  She helped several churches and often personally provided for needy children as she became aware of their situations.  Her thoughtfulness, caring, and generosity towards people and animals continued through the end of her life.  

We know she’s galloping through beautiful fields now, with her beloved horses, Dart, Frosty, and Pooder  Her faithful standard poodles, Godiva, Nick, and Connor, run playfully around her.  Joan’s family will be eternally grateful to the faithful, loving friends who were constantly with Joan, 24/7, during her valiant battle with an insidious disease.  Joan is survived by her sister, Maureen Wales of Florida, her niece, Christine Morgan of New Jersey, and her cousins, RuthAnn O’Connor, and Rose Bernal of New Jersey, and Nancy Bernal of California.

Contributions in Joan Cameron’s honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

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