Obituary of Joette Aleta Fletcher

Our beloved Joette Aleta Fletcher was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 24, 1952 to Shirley Lorraine Haselrig and Joseph Oliver Haselrig.  However, she was raised in New Jersey with her older sister Celeste. 

Early on in life, in elementary school, Joette was united with her 2 lifelong friends.  Her best friends Mona and Ruth lovingly called her “Jo”.  They described her as athletic and energetic, smart and popular, reserved but outspoken.  She received her highschool education from Linden Highwhere she was the first black cheerleader.  Joette loved color and being creative, she loved to draw and she loved art.  Due to the persuasion of an art teacher during her junior year of high school she entered an art contest last minute and won the contest for all of North, New Jersey and came in 3^rd place for the entire state of New Jersey.  She graduatedfrom Linden High School with honors in 1970.  Joette earned a full scholarship to Boston University.  After attending for 2 years she moved on and began her career at IBM Computer Hardware Company in Piscataway, New Jersey. 

During the beginning of her careerJoettemet the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life with, Paul Fletcher Sr.  They dated for a short while and on October 6, 1979, they were joined under God in marriage.  Together they had 3 beautiful children, Paul Jr., Jasmine and Joi which they raised in Somerset, New Jersey.

Joette worked at IBM for over 30 years and was an asset to the company.  She received several productivity awards during her years at IBM.  She brought in top dollars while she was on their Accounts Receivable team. Joetteformed many friendshipsand worked very hard for many years before deciding to retire in 2005 due to the development of rheumatoid arthritis which made it difficult and painful to work.

It was in retirement that Joettebegan her battle with arthritis which ultimately became debilitating.  She would try and distract herself from the pain by watching her favorite television shows, reading books, or spending time with her grandkids.  She also learned how to crochet and began making blankets, hats and stuffed animals for her family and friends.  She was always doing for and thinking of others.  Despite her own pain that did not stop her from carrying the burden of otherspain and trying to help as best as she could.  That was the kind of person, mother she was…..kind and selfless, always thinking of others before herself.  She loved her family and their well-being was most important to her.  She also loved God immensely.  It was His strength that got her through her days and all the pain.  It was His promises that kept her for so many years when other medical issues arose and the doctors counted her out.  Her faith in God got her though those challenging times in her life.  Her favorite book in the Bible was Job, the story of a man who experienced many of life’s most difficult adversities, but never gave up on God, much like Joette.  She was a Pillar of faith and strength.  She was a fighter through and through, and she fought until her last breath on May 29, 2021.

She leaves behind to cherish her memoryher older sister, Celeste Ryan; husband, Paul Sr. of 41 years; her 3 children, Paul Jr., Jasmine, and Joi Porter; her niece, Crystal Ryan; her nephew, Marcus Ryan; her grandkids, Jaylen Porter and Jaxson Porter; a daughter-in-law, Shamika Fletcher; a son-in-law, Joe Porter;a brother-in-law, Mark Fletcher;a sister-in-law, Kim Fletcher; nieces Monique Fletcher and Kiana Fletcher and a host of other family members and friends.