It is with heavy hearts we share the sad news that our beloved mother, Joan McNiff Cass, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, surrounded by her family. We know how blessed we are to have had so much time to take in her beautiful smile, to hold her hand, and to tell her and show her how much we love her, over and over again. We take great comfort in knowing she has been reunited with our father, Donald T. Cass, her loving mother and father, her brothers Peter McNiff and Cyril McNiff, and her honorary brother, Peter J. Smith, as well as so many beloved family and friends who have gone before her. We are certain the dancing has already started.

 We want the Irish Dancing Community to know how much Joan loved Irish Dancing and loved each of you. She loved everyone who was a part of the Irish dancing family from her students through the years, parents, fellow teachers, and musicians. Irish Dancing was a significant part of her life since the time when she was a young person. It was weaved into the fabric of the McNiff family and something she bestowed upon us. Irish Dancing has allowed Joan to develop hundreds of treasured friendships through the years.

 Joan was a woman of grace, strength, and strong faith. On Saturday, with Joan, we watched the livestream of the World Competition Men Over 21. We marveled at the level of dancing and perfection of the competitors. Recently, an old friend commented, “Throughout her life, Joan had a lot on her plate, but she made it look effortless”. We can’t help but make the connection to what impressed Joan in a dancer - “effortless” was often the comment after a great dancer performed. Joan knew the hard work that went into anything that appeared effortless. She understood the disappointments that came in life as well. But she truly believed in God’s goodness and how important it is to get up each day, get dressed, look your best, put on a smile, pull your shoulders back and put your best foot forward.  

Arrangements to follow. All are Welcome. We would love to hear all the stories and memories from over the years as we celebrate her incredible life. It’s what Joan would love too.

 With Love – Anne, Joanie, Eileen, and Elizabeth

Due to Oireachtas na Cruinne 2023 being held in Montreal Canada the CLRG office in Dublin will be unmanned from Thursday 30th March - Tuesday April 11th. 

Roisin Marie McLoughlin

1977 - 2023

Obituary of Roisin Marie McLoughlin

With a flute or a tin whistle in her hands, Roisin Marie McLoughlin could take you to another
world, on a musical journey through Ireland, around the globe, and right back into your own
living room. She was a gifted musician, which was but one of her many talents, the makeup of a
beautiful soul who has left our world too soon. McLoughlin, 45, passed away January 1, 2023
surrounded by the love of family and friends both in her adopted home of Kansas and the home
where she grew up, Ridgefield Park, N.J.
Roisin is survived by her devoted parents Patricia and Chris McLoughlin, as well as by her son
Jay, who resides in Ireland. The youngest of Patsy and Chris’ three children, Roisin is also
survived by her sister, Deirdre and brother Christopher, as well as Deirdre’s wife Liz and their
children Kathleen and James and Christopher’s son Christopher Xavier. Also grieving her
untimely loss are her uncle James Early, aunt Gerry and cousin Mairead, her aunt Karen Early
Conway, uncle Chris Conway and cousins Christopher Ronan, his wife Stefanie, and Brendan.
She is also grieved by aunts, uncles and many friends who will miss her terribly. Roisin was
predeceased by her adoring maternal grandparents James and Margaret Early and paternal
grandparents Chris and May McLoughlin.
Roisin was a fiercely loyal and deeply loved woman whose community of beloved friends are
heartbroken by her loss. She was someone who was always there for them, someone who was
kind and funny and someone who always reached out to make sure they were doing okay. She
managed to touch people wherever she went, always building a community of people who
stayed connected through thick and thin. She had a strong independent streak, a spirit that took
her to points all over the country and the world, but she loved nothing more than spending time
with those she loved and embracing every moment with joy and adventure.
And she loved her music, able to pick up that flute or tin whistle at any time and play like she
had neve put it down. She won countless medals at All Ireland fleadh cheoil competitions, an
her trophy case was also filled with awards from Irish dancing. She represented the family’s
McLoughlin School of Irish Dance with such talent and pride, participating in solos and teams at
local, regional and national levels.

Her life was far too short, but she lived it to its fullest.
A wake for Roisin will be held at the Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home on Monday, January, 9
from 2-8 p.m. Mass will be held 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, at St. Francis of Assisi
Church in Ridgefield Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roisin’s name may be made to the St.
Francis of Assisi Food Pantry at 114 Mount Vernon Street, Ridgefield Park, N.J. 07660 in her memory.

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