Obituary of Joanne Jacques-Montilus

Joanne Jacques-Montilus was born Joanne Louis Jacques on September 27th, 1966 at the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn New York. She was the daughter of Joseph Jacques and Marie Paulette Joseph. Joanne had four siblings, Ernest Baptiste, Faride Nicolas, Garita Jean and Chandler Louis Jacques. Joanne grew up in Queens New York where she attended Sacred Heart followed by Saint Clare for Elementary school. She then attended Dominican Commercial High School where she established numerous lasting friendships. Joanne met Pascal Montilus in Montreal Canada in November 1983. There begun a romance which would be the hallmark of the rest of her life. Years of courtship culminated in their marriage in Rosedale Queens on October 23, 1994. From that extraordinary union, Pascal and Joanne were blessed with four beautiful children, Malcolm Stephane Amiri (18), Julian Alexandre (17), and twin girls Anastasia Fiona and Gabriella Paulette (9). Their union brought them around the world, namely Moscow Russia in 1997, Compiegne France 1999, Louisville Kentucky 2002 and finally back to New Jersey where they have resided since 2007. Joanne held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stony Brook University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Louisville. She was a Teacher at the South Orange Maplewood school district since 2007. She specialized in Special needs students and was passionate and dedicated to their success. Joanne was a phenomenal Mother, wife, friend, colleague and a source of inspiration to all who made her acquaintance. Joanne was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November 2004. She remained optimistic and resolute while fighting a remarkably courageous and brave fight. Ultimately, complications from Breast cancer claimed her life on Friday September 25th, 2015 at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston New Jersey. Her positive outlook towards life and her unshakable spirit in the midst of the arduous fight is part of the legacy which she leaves us. Joanne was preceded in death by her mother Marie Paulette Joseph. She is survived in death by her father Joseph Jacques, her husband Pascal Montilus, her four children Malcolm, Julian, Fiona and Gabriella, her four siblings Ernest, Garita, Faride and Chandler, and a long list of Friends of Family. Joanne will be laid to rest at Holy Cross cemetery in Basking Ridge New Jersey on Saturday October 3rd, 2015. Visitation will be held from 5-9pm on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 10am, St. Joseph's Church, Mendham. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery followed by a gathering at The Vine Restaurant, 95 Morristown Road, Basking Ridge (908) 221-0017.