R.I.P. Joëlle Dumas. Your light shines on!

Venice loves you and you will be dearly missed, Joelle. Your presence and contributions will live on in the hearts and minds that you have touched.

Joelle Dumas, 1949- 2022

It is with a heavy heart that we at Venice Paparazzi create this article. Beloved community member, educator extraordinaire, and brilliant shining light to all who knew her, Joelle Dumas passed away Monday Dec. 12, 2022 at sunset.

Joelle was the founder of Ecole Claire Fontaine and the Venice WAVE awards. She also ran a summer camp for kids and served as Education Chair on the Venice Chamber of Commerce. Joelle worked tirelessly to create a better community and her passion and love were infectious. Joelle loved children and the ocean.

Venice Paparazzi had the pleasure of knowing and working with Joelle on many projects and events. We photographed the WAVE awards every year, shot her son’s wedding, promoted her camps, photographed graduations at Ecole Claire Fontaine, served on the Venice Chamber of Commerce Board with her, and more.

View photos of the photos that we found in the Venice Paparazzi archives of Joelle, her family, and friends!

Joelle and James Dumas

Here is the 12.13.22 message from her husband of 37 years, Jimmy!

Joëlle left us tonight, just as the sun was going down, surrounded by her two children, Gwendoline and Clay, her sister Anne, her hermana, Lily, and me, her husband of 37 years.

What is so great about stars is that even after they cease to burn their radiance reaches the eyes of countless children over many years. We, Joëlle’s immediate family, have lost our sun, but we are consoled by the radiance we see reflected in so many of you: our family, our friends, and the great Ecole Claire Fontaine community that Joëlle created and nurtured for more than thirty years.