Obituary of Joni L Reese

Joni Lynn Reese, 54, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Mt. Holly, New Jersey after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was born to Austin and Sheryl Reese on August 20,1966 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was educated in Fort Wayne Public Schools, where she was a standout gymnast, swimmer and sprinter. Joni received her Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University Bloomington and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University. Joni settled in the Southern New Jersey area, where her passion for healthcare and advocacy led her to a career as a union organizer for healthcare workers. Her work in the labor movement began in 2000, when she organized the first home care workers into District 1199C. Joni eventually joined District 1199J in 2003 as an administrative organizer. In 2011, she was elected as Vice President of the Home Health Care Division and eventually served as a Trustee to the 1199J Pension Fund. As Vice President of the Guild and Home Care Division, Joni also served on the New Jersey Labor Advisory Board. Joni was a devoted mother to her son, Carrington. He was her greatest joy and she relished time spent with him on soccer and lacrosse fields, traveling to Cuba, or just hanging out. Joni loved great food and had an adventurous spirit. She spent a semester in China teaching English and did not hesitate to spend a month in Europe exploring various countries. Joni loved water sports and was always ready to jet ski, parasail, or snorkel, even when her travel companions were not quite as brave. In addition to traveling, she loved reading, enjoying her favorite restaurants and spending time with her close friends and sorority sisters. Joni was also committed to service and community engagement. While at Indiana University, Joni became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Public Service Sorority. She was engaged in local and national politics and cared deeply about her community. Joni is survived by her son, Carrington Mizelle of Hainesport, New Jersey; mother, Sheryl Greene of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sister, Pamela Lucas (Herman) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother Jeffrey Reese (Holly) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; partner Bernard Mizelle of Silver Spring, Maryland; niece, Leah Reese and nephews Colten Reese, Karson Jenkins and Knight Jenkins, all of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, sorority sisters and colleagues. She is preceded in death by her father, Austin C. Reese. A loving mother, devoted daughter and sister, kind and compassionate friend and dedicated co-worker, Joni will be remembered with great love and admiration. Video Slide Show link below https://vimeo.com/546889267 Password: jonir