Joyce E. (Salveson) Tabaka

It is with heavy, broken hearts that we announce the passing of Joyce E. (nee Salveson) Tabaka, 80, of Cedar Grove. She passed peacefully in her sleep on March 19, 2023 after putting up a good fight against lung cancer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joyce grew up in Maspeth, Queens before moving to Clifton to be with the love of her life who she was married to for 60 years. 

Joyce was a selfless, perpetual caretaker and loyal friend who many referred to as their second mother. She loved to talk and connected with people easily… ask anyone who has stood next to her on the Shop Rite line! She was known for her giving personality and got much joy from buying presents, Christmas being her special holiday. Nobody does Christmas like the Tabakas. She loved a good sale too. We would often joke that you don’t actually save money when you buy the sale item for everyone you know. Joyce was also our historian. She remembered all sorts of random facts including everybody’s birthday and anniversary. If you had trouble recalling a fact or date, Joyce was the girl to call. She brought joy to those around her with her delicious cooking. There was always a seat at the dinner or holiday table which got bigger and bigger over the years. She would also happily deliver your favorite meal or her delicious homemade soups.  

Heaven has gained an amazing angel. Joyce was the person you could count on for anything, except maybe to keep a secret, although her husband did share that she took one to the grave. She always had an ear to listen and arms to hug. If you fell down, she would lift you up. She was everyone’s favorite person and she is going to be missed by all. If we could all be just a little bit kinder, a little more patient, and a little more forgiving, her legacy will live on in all of us.

Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend.

She is predeceased by a daughter, Jennifer Tabaka (2014); a son, John F. Tabaka, III (2016); and her parents, Salve and Hilda (nee Raybeck) Salveson.

Her survivors include: her husband, John F. Tabaka, II; two daughters, Dawn Tabaka and Joelle DeGaetano and her husband, Arthur; five grandchildren, Tyler Tabaka, Victoria Rosenthal, Sarah Rosenthal, Ava DeGaetano and Giavanna Trago; a brother, Norman Salveson; and Deborah Tabaka (Tyler’s mother).

Visiting Thursday 4 to 8 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Ave, Clifton. Funeral service 10:30 am Friday at the Funeral Home. Committal service to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton, followed by cremation.  In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to JL Blessings, 275 Tappan Road, Norwood, NJ 07648, www.jlblessings.org, Camp Hope, 1792 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480 or  Deborah Hospital Foundation, 212 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015, www.deborahfoundation.org. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com for complete information and to leave condolences on the Tribute Wall section of the obituary.