Joan Sinclair of Grasmere passes away at the age of 83
Joan (deFabritus) Sinclair, a noted watercolor artist from Grasmere, has passed away at the age of 83. Joan was born in Manhattan to James (Luigi) deFabritus, of the same borough, and Genevieve (Pontus) deFabritus of Orange, N.J. Joan was raised on Staten Island and attended Sacred Heart elementary school, followed by New Dorp High School, from which she graduated in 1955. A short time later this was followed by the attainment of an Associate’s degree in Dress Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Joan spent much of the late 1960s and early 1970s working in the garment district, once having a creation of hers being the focus of a full-page ad in the N.Y. Times.
She began a family in 1961 and is survived by Jeffrey and wife Sandra (Staten Island), Elisa and husband Thomas (Manhattan) and Beth husband Frank (Oregon). She is also survived by three grandchildren, Adam, Hannah and Charlotte. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Art from the former Richmond College in 1975, she embarked on a journey with her long-time passion of painting. Joan was a noted watercolorist who was a regular fixture at the annual fence show at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. She would frequently be part of solo or group exhibits throughout the tri-state area for the next five decades. One of her proudest achievements is having one of her paintings hung on a wall in Norway alongside a work by the great Expressionist Edvard Munch. She spent her life studying and creating great works of art. Her passions included traveling with family and friends, eating and creating great meals and just being an all-around fun and interesting person. Joan was also a long-time member of the Cameron Club in Grasmere and was a devoted parishioner of St. Sylvester’s Roman Catholic church in Concord.
Services were entrusted to the care of Cherubini McInerney Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.cherubinifunerals.com.
1289 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10302
Friday, April 9, 2021
4:00pm - 8:00pm 
6 thoughts on “Joan P. Sinclair”
I had the pleasure of knowing Joanit was such a pleasure talking to her and seeing all her beautiful paintings that she did she actually made a painting with some cats for my husband which we love and have hanging up on our wall we are going to miss her she was such a wonderful lady.
Our deepest sympathy to the whole family for your loss she will be in our hearts forever and may she rest in peace I’m sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Joan Sinclair
Dear Jeff, Elisa and Beth,
Please accept my deepest condolences on mom’s passing. I have such fond memories of Joan!
We are never old enough to lose our mom… I hope you all find comfort in your wonderful memories of the special person she was.
Sincerely,
Denise Liotta DeMarzo
Dear Lisa, Jeff, Beth & family,
I am so sad to learn of Joan’s passing.
She and I shared common interest in art, design & architecture and these interests
Enriched our experiences when we traveled to Italy, Prague and Washington DC. Joan was a great traveling companion & we had fun & exciting times together.
Memory allows for wonderful family events @ Cameron Club and couple parties we shared for so many meaningful years. It was a great time of life.
I admired Joan’s art ability. She was an excellent watercolorist & we enjoyed many discussions & appreciation when visiting museums during our travels.
It was My pleasure to consider Joan my friend. I am indeed sorry for your loss. Joan was so proud of her family: each one of you. May you find comfort in the realization that life is temporary but love
is eternal.
Mimi Aloia
Joan was an acquaintance from time to time in our Grasmere area. A very very nice lady and I loved being in her presence…she was like an older aunt of mine, with a funny little giggle like my real Aunt Lil — she has that effect on people. I only regret not taking watercolor lessons from her…I could have learned a lot from her as judging from her works. RIP Joan, you won’t be forgotten.
My friend is gone but never forgotten. I have such fond memories to cherish. I loved her and I love her kids. Elisa, Jeff and Beth, I know that this has been a hard few years but your Mom felt your love as you felt hers. She appreciated all you did for her. She bragged about you guys all the time. She was a big fan of her grandchildren as well, she couldn’t have been prouder of her family! Her artistic talent was well known but I probably appreciated her sense of humor and fun even more! She was one of a kind and I will miss her greatly!
“Aunt” Joan will be sorely missed. At least we have a few of her beautiful watercolors to always remember her by hanging on our walls. Our deepest sympathies to our nephew Jeff and nieces Elisa and Beth and great nieces Charlotte and Hannah and great nephew Adam. We know you will all miss her very much .