Joan (Sammarco) Paolucci

Josephine Joan Paolucci passed peacefully on October 21, 2025, at the age of 95.  She was born on November 4, 1929, in Passaic NJ to Mario and Jean Sammarco.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Joseph, her brother Jack, her sister Gloria Corneliess and her son J. Dean Paolucci. 

Joan was a lifelong resident of Clifton, NJ.  She graduated from Clifton High School and then went on to work as the Executive Secretary to the Mayor of Passaic. 

Joan was active with the Boys Club of Clifton, was a past member of the Knoll Country Club and the Glen Ridge Country Club.  Her last 2 years were spent at Sunscape Assisted Living in Boca Raton, FL where she was an active participant and was loved by all.  She was made an “Ambassador” by the management team where she was involved with greeting new residents into the community.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who always prioritized her family. 

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Tom Witmer, daughter-in-law Tricia Paolucci, her grandchildren Darren Witmer and wife Laura Greene, Marc Witmer and husband John Shepherd, Bryan Witmer and husband Tom Pratt, Dana Paolucci and Dean Paolucci Jr as well as her great grandchildren Justin, Brendan, and Ryan Witmer.

Joan lived a full life.  She was a spitfire who was always the life of the party and was forever loyal to her family, friends and the Lord.

Visitation will take place Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral services will begin at 11:30 am from the funeral home followed by a 12:00 noon Mass at St. Philip the Apostle R.C. Church, 797 Valley Road, Clifton. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Breast Cancer Research Foundation at http://give.bcrf.org .    Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall section of the online obituary.

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