Joan Bollerman Cunningham

Joan Bollerman Cunningham passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Born on November 19, 1935, and raised in Maywood, New Jersey, she made her home in Pequannock, New Jersey, for the past 62 years.

Joan was predeceased by her first husband, Frank Bollerman, whom she married in 1957 and loved deeply. She is survived by her children, Michelle (née Bollerman) Phelan and her husband Steven Tillona, Steven Bollerman and his wife Karen, Sharon (née Bollerman) Abrams, and Michael Bollerman and his wife Suzanne. She was also predeceased by her brother Charlie and is survived by her sister, Josephine (née Monaco) Brickner and her husband Hank, and her brother Charlie Monaco and his wife Sharon. Joan leaves behind her grandchildren Jake, Kerry, Nicole, TJ, Brian, Josh, Alex, and Isabella, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her godchildren—David Monaco, Patrice (née Brickner) Mendes, MaryJo (née Foschini) LoPresti, and MaryBeth Scarrone—held a particularly special place in her heart.

In 2009, Joan married Bill Cunningham and shared several cherished years with him and his family until his passing in 2016. She treasured her time with them, especially enjoying Memorial Day parades and family gatherings. Her niece Kathy Mechan Harley was especially dear to her, bringing warm visits, Hackensack pastries, and that unmistakable Bollerman common sense. Ray Kloss, her devoted handyman, went above and beyond in caring for her home and well-being.

A lifelong learner, Joan graduated from Fordham University in 1957 and earned two master’s degrees in Special Education from William Paterson University as well as a nursing degree. She possessed a remarkable gift for recognizing potential in children facing learning challenges. As a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant and tutor, she worked in Passaic County on Child Study teams, with behaviorally challenged children in Lincoln Park, and at St. Mary’s in Pompton Lakes. She later became a nurse, devoting more than 25 years to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Totowa and serving as a school nurse at St. Anthony’s in Butler.

Joan was a devoted parishioner of Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Pequannock. She served as president of the Rosary Altar Society and participated in numerous ministries, including church cleaning, aiding flood victims, supporting Vietnamese refugees, and sponsoring Birthright activities. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the Pequannock Police Department, compassionate neighbors, the caregivers at CareOne in Wayne, and the Ascend Hospice team—especially Yoel and Jhonn—who provided her with tender care over the past nine months.