Longtime Rumsonite, community volunteer and former Councilwoman Joan Pillsbury DeVoe passed away peacefully on Feb. 21.

The daughter of the late John M. and Mary Loux Pillsbury, Joan was raised in Atlantic Highlands and Middletown. She attended The Beard School in Morristown, and graduated from Wheaton College, Norton, MA.

Joan was an active volunteer in the community where she made her home for most of her life — Rumson.

Her service to the community included longtime involvement in: The Junior League; Rumson Community Appeal; Rumson Historical Society; and St. George’s Canterbury Fair, Altar Guild and Vestry.

Public service was a very important part of Joan’s life and she believed that serving as an elected official was a public trust.

Joan was elected to the Rumson Borough Council in 1996 and served for 18 years. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented her with a citation on the occasion of her 80th birthday in honor of her many years of government service on both the local and county level.

A member of the Sea Bright Beach Club, rain or shine, spending time at the beach with family and friends was anticipated all winter and filled her with happiness all summer.

Joan is survived by her three children: John P. DeVoe, Dale D. Leach (Jeffrey), Susan D. Sandlass (Henry); grandchildren Kristin C. Devoto (James), Aimee M. Chandler, Gregory D. Leach, Frank J. Leach II; her great granddaughter, Ava S. Devoto; her sister, Mary Loux (Dubie) McDonnell; and her nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by her sister, Susan P. Kyle.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank.

A funeral service will be held at St. George’s by-the-River Episcopal Church, Rumson, on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. Interment following the service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Shore House, 279 Broadway, Suite 400, Long Branch, NJ 07740; or St. George’s by-the-River, 7 Lincoln Ave., Rumson, NJ 07760.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home.