Joan Rossler, 83, of Haddon Heights, NJ,  an indefatigable friend, sister, volunteer, helper, and guardian angel to many, with a passion for history, genealogy, gardening, and adventure, died peacefully on September 9 at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ.  The cause of death was encephalitis.

Joan McCabe was born in 1941 in Philadelphia to Catherine and Bernard McCabe, who had emigrated from Ireland.  Joan had 4 older brothers, and as the youngest and only daughter, she held a special place in the family.  When she was born, her father was so thrilled to have a daughter that he invited the trash collection crew from the street to come in for a shot of Jameson Irish whiskey.

Joan attended Incarnation Elementary School and Cardinal Dougherty High School in Olney, Philadelphia where she made lifelong friends.

Joan worked in administration at Teledynamics, AT&T, and then for almost 40 years at Computer Sciences Corporation in Moorestown, NJ. Joan was known as a team player and a practical, quiet leader, who was seen to be "in-charge" by her peers.  Even her brother Bernard, 6 years her senior, said that as an adult Joan was more like an older sister than a younger sister to him.

In 1965, Joan met Craig Rossler.  Joan's boss Joe was Craig's hunting buddy.  After getting to know each other at work, Craig asked Joan out on a date — they went to the Starlight Drive-in in Mt. Ephraim, and the rest is history.  Craig and Joan married in 1967. The couple lived on Sycamore Street in Haddon Heights, NJ.

When recounting their time together, Craig describes a life of friendships and adventure.  They both loved the outdoors, in particular beaches and fishing.  They bought a camper, traveling from Maine to Florida and from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod.  Joan and Craig spent time on a workboat in Campbell River, British Columbia, and were so enamored by the experience that they returned for a second summer.  In 1970, they both quit their jobs and moved to Millinocket Lake Camps in northern Maine, to help Craig's friend run the camp.  The camp was losing money when they arrived.  Joan put her organizational and accounting skills to work immediately, and in less than a year the camp was turning a profit.  In fact, the camp was so successful that the owners sold it for a profit, and Craig and Joan packed up and returned to New Jersey.  They returned to Maine for what Craig said was perhaps the most spectacular sight of their lives — Comet Kohoutek streaming over Mt Katahdin and the Milky Way on a starry Maine night.

On Sycamore Street, Joan met Anne McAdams, of blessed memory, who became like a sister to her.  Joan developed close relationships with Anne's children Mari, Jamie, and Steven, and granddaughters Madi and Cassidy. Joan was a constant, reliable presence in their family, always stopping by for occasions like Christmas morning or "Hot Dog Sundays", or for no occasion at all.  Mari related one occasion when her brother Jamie obtained a 6-pack of Moosehead Beer while still in high school — Joan caught wind of this and discretely came to the house and confiscated the beer . . . but she did not blow the whistle on Jamie.  Recently, Anne's granddaughter Cassidy was in a tenuous situation in Egypt. Joan intervened immediately, providing funds for Cassidy to leave the country.

In the 1980s, Joan, Anne, and Rose Fitzgerald opened an antique store in Marlton.  They enjoyed antiquing trips far and near, sometimes with a U-Haul trailer in tow.  There were notable trips to Brimfield, Massachusetts and Ireland, where they shared many, many laughs together.

Joan's first cousin Una, who came to the US from Ireland and had no siblings in the US, said that Joan was like a sister to her and served as her surrogate family in America.  Una noted that Joan treated friends like close family and family like close friends.  Joan expressed quiet pride and admiration for her many nieces and nephews. While traveling, she enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and made friends easily. She was truly curious and interested in the lives and dreams of others. Una mentioned that on a trip to Florida, Joan asked a local about the origins of key lime pie . . . only to receive an earful about every possible detail of this delicious desert, which was a family favorite.

Even after their divorce, Craig and Joan remained good friends, and spoke to each other at 7:18 a.m. every morning.  If Joan had not called by 7:20 a.m., Craig would call her! Craig fondly recalls their train journey across Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer.  They enjoyed 2 safaris in Africa, and as recently as a few months ago they discussed going back for a 3rd safari.

Of all the wonderful places Joan explored, Ireland was her favorite. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her Irish relatives in her ancestral home..  She always spoke fondly of her cousins Kevin Mulligan, Anne O'Dwyer, and many others.  Joan made numerous trips to Ireland and even contemplated moving there permanently -- she was so fascinated by history and family genealogy that she and Kevin spent hours walking through cemeteries in the rain to find ancestors across 3 generations!

Joan was fortunate to have her brother Ed and his wife Sally nearby in Riverton, NJ. Joan was a regular at their holiday gatherings, and would pop over on short notice to help or have lunch or dinner with Sally. She maintained a special relationship with her twin grandnieces Jasmine and Acacia McCabe.

Even into her 70s and 80s, and despite significant back pain, Joan routinely drove from New Jersey to Florida to visit with her brother Bernard. True to form, when her eldest brother Jackie was ill, Joan flew out to Minneapolis to be with him during his last days.

After retiring, Joan moved to the Kings Run Condominium in Haddon Heights where she enjoyed many active years with her close friends.  She was a devoted member of the Women's Club and the Piecemakers.  She was also a regular at Royal Fitness, and an active member of the Haddon Heights Historical Society.

Like her brothers Ed and Bernard, Joan read the New Yorker magazine religiously every week. She also attended church every week.  Joan was a grateful parishioner at the St. Vincent Pallotti Church.

Joan was preceded in death by her brothers Phillip, John and Edward, and by her close friend Anne McAdams.  She is survived by her brother Bernard of Jacksonville, Florida, by her former husband Craig Rossler of Glassboro, NJ, by her sister-in-law Sally McCabe of Moorestown, by numerous nieces and nephews, and by her many precious friends.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, 901 Hopkins Rd, Haddonfield, NJ, on Friday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's memory may be made to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden Food Bank, The Parkinson's Foundation, or any worthy charity.