Joan Fulton Obituary

Durango resident Joan Claire Fulton died Friday, June 29, 2012, at her home. She was 84.

Mrs. Fulton was born May 2, 1928, in Passaic, N.J., to Thomas and Helen Brown. She was raised in New Jersey, where she spent much of her life.

After graduating from high school and secretarial school in New Jersey, Mrs. Fulton worked for United Airlines in Newark, N.J.

On May 14, 1955, she married William G. Fulton in Nutley, N.J.

"She was introduced to her husband by her boss, who lost his dependable employee but gained a sister-in-law," her family said.

In 1955, the couple moved to Mount Prospect, Ill., where they lived until moving back to Nutley in 1960. After having four daughters, three in Mount Prospect and a fourth in Nutley, Mr. and Mrs. Fulton moved the family to Spring Lake, N.J., in 1970.

After Mr. Fulton died in 1994, Mrs. Fulton spent seven years living in Vero Beach, Fla., before moving to La Jolla, Calif., in 2002 to be closer to her grandchildren.

She moved to Durango in 2007 to be near two of her daughters and their families.

"While she missed the ocean she lived near her entire life, she loved the sunshine and blue skies of Colorado," her family said.

Mrs. Fulton was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church.

She enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren, swimming in the ocean, traveling and playing Scrabble and Bridge. Her favorite memories include her "girls trips" to a houseboat on Lake Powell with her daughters, her family said.

Mrs. Fulton was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, William G. Fulton.

She is survived by her daughters Mary Fulton and Kate Fulton, both of Durango, Julie Fulton of La Jolla and Nancy Fulton of San Francisco; and five grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. James Koenigsfeld of St. Columba Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the charity of one's choice.