Scholarship named in memory of tireless PTA volunteer
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

Joan Osvath

WOODBRIDGE - When Paula Wieczerzak needed a kidney transplant two years ago, Joan Osvath did not hesitate to offer one of her own.

The only problem was that Osvath, who was 70 years old at the time, was considered "too old" to donate.

"I never let her get tested," said Wieczerzak, who has known Osvath for nine years.

Osvath died in June at the age of 72.

"She was an epitome of an angel," said Wieczerzak. "I can't say enough about her … she was just a wonderful lady. So few have been generous like her, and I just loved everything about her."

Wieczerzak added that anybody who met Osvath was fortunate.

"She could never be replaced," she said.

Approximately 75 to 100 people attended a benefit breakfast in honor of Osvath on Sept. 30, hosted by the Woodbridge Knights of Columbus. The event was fittingly held at the St. James Parish on Grenville Street, where Osvath worked for 38 years.

The benefit was part of the Tuition Angel Fund, which is run by the parish school.

"I have known the Osvath family for over 25 years," said Bob Golden, a past grand knight and the current membership director for the Knights of Columbus.

Osvath began volunteering for the Parent Teacher Association and summer Bible

Joan

classes at the school when her two children, Wendy and William, attended the school.

"As the children got older and transitioned from high school to college, Joan took a job at the parish," said her husband, William.

William added that Joan was one of the first four women who became Eucharistic ministers at the parish.

"She had just signed the contract to work another year at the parish," he said.

William said he met his wife at a graduation party after they had just graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1952.

"We have been together ever since," he said as he sat with a group of their high school friends at the breakfast.

The Osvaths were married in April 1956. "We still live in the house we bought [in Woodbridge] when we got married," said William.

The Osvaths have two children and four grandchildren.

Archie Borup, of Colts Neck, reminisced about her best friend, whom she met in first grade.

"Joan was a sweet, sweet person," she said. "I remember we would ride our bikes to the ferry with our other best friend, Elaine, and take the ferry to Staten Island. We would take our lunches in a basket and spend the whole day there until 5 p.m. We were bridesmaids at each of our weddings. We always kept in contact with each other."

William said his wife loved working with the children and helping the young priests.

"She would do anything for anybody," he said. "When she made a friend, she kept a friend."

Wendy and William remember their mother as a very giving woman and a one of-a-kind person.

"She just loved to take care of the kids," said Wendy. "If her class was going on a class trip and she knew the situations of some of the children, she would always give money to them. Or if the kids needed lunch money, she would always give it to them."

William added that his mother would do these things without anybody knowing.

"She will be missed, but won't be forgotten, because of things like this [the breakfast] and people who she has touched," he said.

The Osvath family hopes to soon start a scholarship fund in Joan's name.

For more information about the Tuition Angel Fund, contact St. James Parish at (732) 634-0500.