Joanne Frances Ryan (née Pummer), of Garfield, NJ passed on peacefully in hospice after a long battle with illness, at the age of 67, surrounded by friends and family.
Joanne is survived by her beloved children, TJ Ryan of Maywood, NJ and Heather DiPiazza of Philadelphia, PA; and two grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Timothy Ryan of Garfield, and her five siblings Christopher Pummer of Chevy Chase, MD, Suzanne Reilly of Maywood, NJ and Julie Korogodon of Monroe, CT, as well as Diane Hazard and John Richard Pummer, who are rejoicing with her in heaven. She also leaves behind many cherished relatives, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Daughter of Rowland Pummer and Rosemary (Donahue) Pummer, Joanne was born in New York and raised in Maywood, NJ. She was born with Cerebral Palsy, at a time when inclusion for and sensitivity to people with disabilities were not common. She persevered despite adversity, and graduated from high school as well as attended classes at Bergen County Community College and completed clerical training through Easter Seals, where she met her good friend, Lynn Kovelkoski, of Walden, NY.
Joanne was a devoted, nurturing full-time mother to her children. She taught them the value of love, compassion and hard-work. They remember her as a tenacious woman and patient mother who always encouraged them to pursue their goals. She worked hard to provide a life and education that would allow them to make a difference in the world. With an avid belief in philanthropy, she always encouraged them to volunteer and help those less fortunate.
