Joan Maria (Ruscillo) Thom

July 15, 1939 - January 25, 2021

ESCONDIDO — On Monday, January 25, 2021, Joan Maria (Ruscillo) Thom, loving mother, sister, and grandmother passed away at the age of 81 in Escondido, California. Joan was born on July 15, 1939 in Flushing, New York to Olga Jenny Corrado and Joseph Ruscillo. After the early passing of her father Joseph, John Mastrangelo became like a father to her. She attended Queensborough Community College and was a dedicated Registered Nurse for 45 years, first working in pediatrics and then geriatrics. She moved to California to be a devoted and loving grandmother to her granddaughters.

Joan, also known as “Nana” to many, was everyone’s friend and family. She loved to meet new people wherever she went. She was known for her friendliness, generosity, New York accent, and saucy attitude. She was also very involved in the YMCA, Oceanside Volunteer Police Department, and the Red

Hat Society.

Joan was preceded in death by her fathers, Joe and John, her mother, Olga, and two of her brothers, Johnny and Danny. She is survived by her son, Robert Joseph Thom, daughter-in-law, Kristine Ann (Norris) Thom, her granddaughters, Ashley Elizabeth Thom and April Joan (Thom) Branch, her sister, Elaine Joy Gelardi, her brother, Thomas G. Mcnamara, and her lifelong friend Melinda Ann Hill.

A service will be held in July, please contact aprilbranch11@gmail.com for details.

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