Joan Dunn Lindsay Ruiz
July 17, 1959 - December 8, 2012
Joan Dunn Lindsay Ruiz, 53, of Elmwood Park, died December 8, 2012.
She was born July 17, 1959 in Dumont, NJ. Joan graduated from Paramus High School, then went on to St. Michael's College in Vermont and received a Bachelor's in Psychology. She then received her Master's degree in Special Education from Jersey City State College.
Prior to becoming a mother, Joan enjoyed spending time in Vermont, Miami and Costa Rica, and had a life-long love for the people and culture of New Orleans, where she lived and worked.
Joan was employed for 17 years as a Special Education teacher in the Bloomfield School District, and an Early Intervention Therapist for the State of New Jersey. Her love of teaching was evident in her years of dedication to her students.
She is survived by her two daughters Lindsay and Sarah Ruiz, her brother Robert (Patricia) Lindsay, her sister Anne (Henrik) Lindsay Dahl, her mother Alberta Dunn Lindsay, nieces and nephews.
An avid quilter and seamstress, she is also survived by her crafts, and her family's memories of trips to Canada, Vermont, San Francisco and New York, with time spent reading, swimming, decorating and enjoying the company of her two toy poodles, Lucy and Stella.
Joan's greatest love was being a mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to www.autismspeaks.org would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/northjersey/name/joan-ruiz-obituary?id=20985194