Joann Van Esselstyn

Joann Van Esselstyn, 82, beloved wife of Douglas Felix Van Esselstyn of Fairfield, passed away on January 5, 2025.

Joann was born in New York City to German immigrants Hanny and Franz Tummel. The family moved to Upper Montclair, NJ when she was fourteen where they opened Tummel's Confectionery, a homemade candy and ice cream shop on Valley Road. Joann and her husband were high school sweethearts who married in 1963 and remained best friends throughout the years, sharing a very special relationship. 

Joann graduated from Montclair High School in NJ and Beaver College in Glenside, PA. She received her Masters Degree from Fairfield University. Joann began her teaching career in Cranford, NJ and also taught in Morris Township, NJ. After moving to Fairfield in 1972, Joann taught at Oldfield School, then Osborn Hill School and then at Jennings School until she retired from full-time teaching in 2002. In 2004, she became an Early Literacy Tutor at McKinley School in Fairfield. “Mrs. Van” often said that teaching was her passion and she loved her many years of being a teacher of young children.

For three years, Doug and Joann have resided at Watermark in Bridgeport where she greatly enjoyed meeting new friends, singing in the chorus, and managing the resident library. 

 Joann was predeceased by her parents, her brother Kenneth Tummel, and her sister, Evelyn Brethauer. She is survived by her husband, Douglas F. Van Esselstyn, daughter, Gretchen Van Esselstyn, and her husband, Kevin Whelan, of Brooklyn, NY, a son, David Van Esselstyn and his wife, Jennifer Ball, two grandchildren, Margo Lee Van Esselstyn and Hazel Towns Van Esselstyn, of Brooklyn, New York.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Learning Center, Bridgeport CT where Joann volunteered for many years.

Visitation will take place on Friday January 17 from 3-6PM at Spear-Miller Funeral Home. The funeral service will be the next morning at 10AM at First Church Congregational, Fairfield, CT. A reception at the church will follow the service.