Obituary of Joan A. Rotunno

Joan Marie Arnold Rotunno (December 2, 1931-October 6, 2021 )

Joan A. Rotunno passed away at home on October 6, 2021, at 11:30 pm, two months shy of her 90^th birthday. Her loving husband of 54 years Anthony (Tony) predeceased her. She is survived by her sons Robert (Sabrina Pacifici), Thomas (Ann Buchman), Clifford (Lori Carr), her daughter Nancy, and five grandchildren- Kevin, Nicole, Kate, Dylan, and Ryan.

A nearly lifelong resident of Long Island, NY, Joan grew up in Manhasset, moved to Glen Cove and then to Kings Park.  A graduate of the University of Vermont, Joan started her professional career at American Airlines in Manhattan where she met her husband before leaving to start their family. She went on to enjoy a 20+ year teaching career in the Kings Park school district retiring as the head of the Junior High School’s Home Economics department.  When her husband passed, Joan moved to Arlington, VA to live with her daughter.

Throughout her life she loved reading, sewing, playing cards, puzzles, participating in sports, and bird watching. She was especially fond of spending time outside at the beach, walking, and in the garden. Joan was a woman of great resiliency surviving breast cancer, enduring corneal transplants, and living with multiple myeloma. She remained active and engaged and was a vital part of the life of her loved ones. Towards the end of life, she struggled with dementia, finally yielding to the disease.  Joan was strong, graceful, beautiful inside and out, modest, kind, and undemanding. Her focus was on taking care of others. She believed children are our future and need our help.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A funeral mass will be held at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Arlington, VA at 11:00 am on Friday, October 22, 2021. Burial will be in 2022 at Arlington National Cemetery along with her husband Anthony.