Joanna L. Santamaria passed away on Thursday August 15, 2024 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. She was 34 years old.

Born in Brooklyn on July 28, 1990 she was a lifelong resident of the Iselin section of Woodbridge Township.

Joanna was a 2008 Graduate of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Iselin.

Joanna was the most compassionate, loving, outgoing, funny, and friendly person.  She was the life of every party.  Joanna had a deep love for the New York Yankees, New York Jets, Starbucks caramel frapps, French onion soup, and reality tv.  She was loved by everyone that encountered her.  Despite battling systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since 16 months old, Joanna was a pillar of strength for everyone in her life.  Joanna lit up every room she entered with her infectious smile and laugh.  She was known for being the most generous and thoughtful gift giver in the family. She never forgot a birthday and always made sure to give the most special gifts. Joanna's entire life revolved around her family especially her parents Anna and Angelo and sister Camille. The four have always been inseparable. Joanna's world became even brighter when her nephews, Angelo and Antonio came into her life.  Her entire world became dedicated to making her two beloved nephews happy. She adored playing, singing, and just being around them. Joanna's family was her life, and she will undoubtedly always be watching over and enjoying every moment from above until they are all together again.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation in Joanna's memory.

She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Gaspare and Carmella Santamaria, her maternal grandfather Lorenzo DiCostanzo; and her aunt Dora LoGrande; and a cousin Lorenzo Casella.

Surviving Joanna are her parents Angelo and Anna Di Costanzo Santamaria of Iselin; her sister Camille Monaco and her husband Michael of Clark; her nephews Angelo and Antonio; her brother of the heart Andre Bennici and his wife Paige and their children Caiden and Bella; her maternal grandmother Immacolata DiCostanzo of Iselin, her aunts and uncles Maria Cirillo and her husband Antonio, Emelia Ilardi and her husband Rosario, Anthony LoGrande, Rosa Casella and her fiancé Peter, George DiCostanzo and his wife Christine, and Maria Weinstein and her husband Adam; and her cousins Maria, Teddy, Christina, Brian, Michelle, Corey, Salvatore, Thomas, Tina, Amanda, Lauren, Scott, Alex, Joceline, Michael, Candace, Gregory, Douglas, Ariella, Richard, Annabelle, G.G, Livy, Madeline, Mario, Gaspare, Charlie, Gaspare and Giuseppe.

A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 7:30 p.m. at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, 44 Green Street at Barron Avenue in Woodbridge. Cremation will be private.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation in Joanna's memory.