Jo Anne B. (Burgstahler) Poppe

Jo Anne B. Poppe, 59, of Highland Lakes passed away peacefully on July 23, 2021 after
a courageous and hard-fought battle against Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Born in Paterson, NJ, Jo Anne was raised in Ringwood and had lived in Highland Lakes
for the past 32 years. Jo Anne was a 1983 graduate of Springfield College where she proudly
obtained degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling & Psychology.
Prior to retiring in July of 2019, she had been employed as a School Social Worker with
the Wayne Board of Education for 16 years. Jo Anne was also selected as the Governor's
Educational Specialist of the Year in 2019. Before her time in Wayne Public Schools, Jo Anne
was also employed at Passaic County Technical School and Lakeland Regional High School. At
Lakeland, Jo Anne also served as a Track & Field coach, as well as head Cheerleading Coach.
Jo Anne was a long time executive committee member of the New Jersey Cheerleading & Dance
Coaches Association and served as a judge for many cheerleading organizations.
Jo Anne was a vibrant, loyal, loving, kind, energetic woman who loved to laugh and have
fun and greatly enjoyed her many vacations to Disney World. She had the gift of making
everyone who was fortunate enough to have her be a part of their lives feel special and loved. Jo
Anne will be dearly missed by them all.
Jo Anne was predeceased by her loved and missed mother, Susan Rhinesmith.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 36 years, Shawn Poppe, of Highland
Lakes; her cherished daughter, Lauren Poppe, of Orlando, FL, who she was most proud to be the
mom of; her loved father, George Burgstahler; her two loved siblings: Sue Ellen Rew and Fred
Burgstahler, nephews and many loved cousins and treasured extended family.
Private cremation services arranged through Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van
Houten Avenue, Clifton (www.bizubquinlan.com). A memorial gathering to celebrate Jo Anne’s
life and loving spirit will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Jo Anne,
please consider a memorial contribution to Be the Match for bone marrow transplant research, or
become a donor.

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