Joan Ellen Musci

She was born June 17, 1931 in the Bronx, New York, to John V. D’Angelo, a surgeon, and Mary Terry (Cunningham) D’Angelo, a law student turned homemaker. She had one younger brother, John D’Angelo.

Joan grew up in the Bronx, surrounded by her extended family, including many cousins. She was a studious, quiet, and very bright child, and attended private girls’ schools from elementary (Villa Marie Academy) to high school (Mt. St. Ursula Academy) and into her college years. Joan met her husband, Lawrence (Larry) Musci, who was a friend of her cousins’, when they were 16 years old. They married shortly after Joan’s graduation from The College of New Rochelle (Class of ’53).

Five children followed quickly, from 1954 to 1960, but Joan also pursued a master’s degree, and started full-time teaching in 1965 in Medford Lakes, NJ. The family moved to Ridgewood, NJ, in 1968. She worked in education for 25 years, as an elementary teacher, and then, after receiving master’s degrees in both Reading and Special Services, as an administrator in the Midland Park (NJ) school system. Joan and Larry moved to Tarrytown, NY, in 1986, and Joan retired from teaching in 1990.

In 1991, Joan and Larry moved to Naples and fell in love with the sunshine, warm weather, and beautiful flowers of Southwest Florida. Joan became active in the Longshore Lake Women’s Club, serving as President for a year, and thoroughly enjoying the service projects she worked on with her many friends. She was a member of the Book Club, Sea Stars, Bridgettes (she was a fierce and accomplished bridge player), and the (Longshore Lake) Club Committee. She and Larry traveled abroad extensively, and especially enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

She is survived by her husband, Larry; her children John, Ellen (Peixoto) and husband Paul, Paul and wife Roberta, Andrew and wife Theresa, and Lawrence Jr. and wife Jessie; her grandchildren Jeffrey, Caroline, Christopher, Stephen, Lawrence, Andrew, and Jonathan; her brother, John (Kathleen); her sisters-in-law, Mattia (Tom) and Rosalie; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Joan was a much-loved wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Her generosity, kindness, and grace were hallmarks of her character. No one will replace her in the affections of her family and friends, and she is sorely missed.

Visitation will take place at Hodges Funeral Home, 111th Avenue North, Naples, on Friday, December 17, from 6 to 9 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, also on 111th Avenue, on Saturday, December 18, at 11 am. A memorial service in New Jersey will be held on January 8th.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your favorite charity in Joan’s name.