Joan E. (Thomas) Capuano, 66, of Paramus, passed away on March 4, 2015. Born in Passaic, she lived in Garfield and Clifton before moving to Paramus 16 years ago. Joan graduated from William Paterson University with a B.A. degree in education and joined the Clifton School System as a Basic Skills teacher. She later joined the Staff at School #3 working in both first and second grades. She was a creative teacher and shared a special interest in Science, Reading, and Technology with her students. Always willing to expand her knowledge, Joan returned to William Paterson University to receive a Master's Degree in Bi-Lingual Education. Joan was a recipient of the New Jersey Governor's Teacher Award as well as the Excellence in Education Honor. She was a beloved teacher by both her students and colleagues. After 27 years of teaching she left to pursue new interests in her life. She developed her talent as a painter and volunteered as a docent at the Naples Park Zoo in Naples, Florida. There she put her teaching skills to good use informing the public about the giraffes and the zoo's conservation program. Joan was a woman of many talents and she pursued them with enthusiasm. Beloved wife for 46 years of Bart. Devoted mother of Michelle Mitchell and her husband Ed of Paramus, and Louis Capuano and his husband Rob Moore of San Diego, California. Loving grandmother of Miranda and Shane. Dear sister of John Thomas and his wife Debbie of Wallington. Funeral Monday 11:30 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Entombment, George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Visiting Sunday 2-7 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York 11714, www.lustgarten.org, in memory of Joan, would be greatly appreciated.