Joan Bernice Scrudato
Ocean Pines

Joan Bernice Scrudato, 85, of Ocean Pines, passed away after a long illness on Tuesday July 9, 2024.

She was the loving wife to her husband of 66 years, John Scrudato.

Joan is survived by her husband John; and her children Christopher Scrudato (Kirstin), Kenneth Scrudato and Suzanne Sampson (John); as well as six grandchildren, Matthew Scrudato, Brianna Talbert (Corey), Tyler Scrudato (Cassidy), Danielle Sampson, Nicholas Sampson and Stephanie Sampson; and three great-grandchildren, James Scrudato, Banks Talbert and Brooks Talbert.

She will be remembered for her intelligence, kindness, generous spirit, and for the love she had in abundance for family and friends.

She was born February 23, 1939, in Montclair, New Jersey, to Catherine and Edmond Laskowski, and later graduated from Battin High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

After a memorable first date — he picked her up in a 1950 convertible — she married John Scrudato in 1958, and raised three children as a stay-at-home mom.

Then in 1974, she enrolled at Middlesex College, seeking an education that would lead to new professional opportunities. She would go on to be inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, and ultimately graduate with an associates degree in business management.

In 1981, she started a temporary job at Merck Pharmaceuticals that quickly led to a permanent position in the company’s purchasing department. She would enjoy a more than 20-year long and successful career there, before retiring in 2002.

After more than six decades of living in New Jersey, she and John moved to a new home in Ocean Pines in 2004 to enjoy their retirement.

In her free time, Joan enjoyed spending time with family, fishing (she was an expert at cleaning fish), traveling, reading, crocheting and baking.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 15, at Holy Savior Catholic Church, 1705 Philadelphia, Ave. in Ocean City. A visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., Sunday July 14, at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Condolences may be shared with the family via burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.