Obituary of Joan Fumia

Joan Evelyn Clinton Fumia, 71, of Farmingdale passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 14, 2017 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Joan was born on base at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey where her father was stationed. She grew up in Newark and Orange, New Jersey. The daughter of Freda Caver Clinton and Van Young Clinton, one of the first black Superior Court justices in the State of New Jersey, Joan was a lifelong learner, attending a variety of excellent schools including Bryn Mawr College, Teachers College of Columbia University, University of Connecticut, the University of Chicago, and University of South Dakota, earning Bachelor's, Master's, and Juris Doctor degrees. She lived a life of volunteerism, giving her time to such organizations as Women for Women, the Y.W.C.A., Literacy Volunteers of America, and C.A.S.A. Kids and was a member of the ACLU. A world traveler and voracious reader of mysteries and histories, Joan also was a lover of classic and horror movies and the New York Times crossword, the more challenging the better. She had an appreciation for art, especially Native American art. Joan had a wry and wonderful sense of humor, an infectious laugh, and was a lover of all animals. She will be dearly missed by all. Joan is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Dr. Fred D. Fumia of Farmingdale; and the lights of her life, her four daughters, Lisa Fumia of Tulsa, OK, Rachel Fumia of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Vanessa Fumia and her husband, Jeffrey Schenk of San Jose, CA, and Danielle Fumia and her wife, Shailee Sztern of Seattle, WA and two granddaughters, Sophia and Ella. All arrangements were private and under the direction of the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Joan's name may be made to either the American Cancer Society, 2310 Route 34, Suite 1D, Manasquan, 08736 or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 and would be appreciated. For information or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.