Joan Sullivan Costantino

Joan Costantino

June 16, 1935-October 12, 2025

Joan Costantino (née Sullivan), age 90, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025, at her home in Ridgefield, New Jersey. Born on June 16, 1935, in West New York, New Jersey, Joan lived a life marked by strength, intelligence, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith.

A proud and devout Catholic, Joan was a longtime member of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church. Her deep faith was the cornerstone of her life and guided her every step. Those who knew her take comfort in the belief that upon her passing, she was welcomed into eternal peace with the words: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Joan was a remarkable woman whose presence left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. A brilliant educator with a long and successful career as both a teacher and principal in Fort Lee, New Jersey, she touched countless lives—students and colleagues alike—with her wisdom, wit, and insight. She was known for her strength of character and sharp intellect, qualities that earned her admiration from peers and love from those she mentored.

Her professional accomplishments were matched only by her devotion to her family. Joan was the beloved mother of Susan McCord, Nicholas Costantino, Daniel Costantino, and the late David Costantino. Her children adored her deeply and were the recipients of her unconditional love—a love that shaped their lives profoundly.

Joan’s heart belonged to her grandchildren: Casey and Cuyler McCorkindale; Emma, Samantha, Aidan, and Makenna Costantino; and Catherine Bauer, daughter of David Costantino. To Joan, they could do no wrong. She adored each one of them with boundless pride and joy. Her eyes would light up at the mention of their names; they were truly the treasures of her life.

Though our hearts are heavy with grief at Joan’s passing, we are filled with gratitude for the years we shared with such an extraordinary woman. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she influenced—as an educator who inspired excellence, as a mother who gave endlessly of herself, and as a grandmother whose love knew no bounds.

We will miss Joan for the rest of our lives—but we carry forward her spirit in every lesson learned from her wisdom, every memory warmed by her laughter, and every act of kindness inspired by her example.

May her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her. Joan will be waked October 17, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Frank Patti Funeral Home, 327 Main Street, Fort Lee. A Funeral Mass will be held on October 18, 2025, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Matthew's Church 555 Prospect Avenue, Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.