Obituary of Joan Van Nostrand

December 19, 2025

Our beloved Joan Van Nostrand, 70, of the Gramercy neighborhood of New York City, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on December 19, 2025. She was a force of love, strength, and light, whose presence made every room brighter.

Joan grew up in Lynbrook, New York, and graduated from Lynbrook High School in 1973. From a young age, she showed remarkable determination and independence. She put herself through college, starting at Nassau Community College and saving enough to continue her education at NYU, commuting daily from Long Island while working multiple jobs to make it happen. She even turned her commute into an opportunity, earning extra money by selling ornate games and jewelry to fellow commuters. That grit and work ethic carried through her entire life and propelled her to great success as a top performer on Wall Street. Joan thrived in the fast-paced, demanding world of finance, forming lifelong friendships and earning deep respect from her colleagues.

When Joan later chose to leave Wall Street, she never slowed down. True to her nature as a go-getter, she became a certified life coach and went on to build a successful career in recruiting, helping others find purpose and fulfillment in their work. Her ability to connect with anyone came not just from charisma, but from genuine curiosity and compassion. She saw the best in people and loved them exactly as they were.

Joan was also a fighter, battling an extremely aggressive cancer over the last four years and far outliving her doctors’ expectations. With the support of the extraordinary medical team at NYU, she pursued every possible treatment with courage, grace, and unwavering determination. She approached every appointment with a smile and an optimistic attitude, firmly believing in the power of positive thinking. Joan was our Wonder Woman - the very definition of a warrior.

She will be remembered for her strength, kindness, sharp sense of humor, and radiant beauty, both inside and out. Joan had an undeniable love of fashion and shopping and took great pride in her perfectly organized and beautifully styled apartment. Everything had its place - just the way she liked it.

Above all, Joan was an exceptional mother and loved her children unconditionally. She made every holiday and birthday feel magical and meaningful, always planning ahead and going above and beyond. Christmas was her favorite, and she made it unforgettable each year through her thoughtfulness, preparation, and boundless love.

Joan was devoted to her family and friends, always putting others before herself and was the first to offer help, encouragement, or a warm smile. Her legacy lives on in every life she touched and every act of kindness she inspired. She was, and will always be, our shining light.

She is survived by her loving children, Scott Fisher and Lauren Fisher, and Lauren’s fiancé, William Loftus; her boyfriend, Wayne Lederman, who was a constant, uplifting presence throughout Joan’s battle with cancer; her nephew, Bryan Auerbach, and his wife, Meredith; her nephew, John Auerbach, and his wife, Mary; their children, Marissa, Nicholas, and Lindsey; her former husband, Richard Fisher; as well as many dear friends and extended family members who will miss her endlessly. Joan was predeceased by her parents, John Van Nostrand and Joan Mignone, and her sister, Margaret “Sugar” Auerbach, and her husband, Michael.

Family and friends are welcome to attend visitation on December 23, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 PM and again from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Greenwich Village Funeral Home, located at 199 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012.

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