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BORN
1937
DIED
2013
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Joan Martin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joan Martin
Ilene Prosniewski
October 5, 2022
I moved into this little house next to Joan with my three children. She was an amazing neighbor, and always a great ear. I remember when my car broke down and she would drive me to work. Just an absolutely wonderful person. One thing about Joan was she cared so much about life. I mean she went every weekend to Ace Hardware and would buy tens of pounds of birdseed... she would fill up these large bins in her garage every morning, she would make sure that all of her bird feeders were full. She had a beautiful little angel statue in the backyard for her good friend, that she took care of when she was in need.. The world lost an amazing woman the day she passed. My children and I will never forget her
Kirsten Bollenbach
October 5, 2019
I miss you Joan and think of you often. 2013 was an awful year, losing my mom and then yourself (a second mom). Things are starting to be a bit normal again but I still miss you terribly. God bless you Joan.
Ilene Bitton
April 18, 2014
Joan was my next door neighbor for a few years. My gosh I have so many stories and amazing memories. She adored my children who adored her cats. She was such a special person, I didn't get a Christmas card this year and should have known something was wrong. I'm so sorry I just found out and I wasn't there to say goodbye. Her last lesson she taught me is now, don't take time for granted. My kids and I will forever remember you Joan??
Nicholas & Manuel Peres von Teck
November 7, 2013
Today is one month since we lost our Joan. Her cats are adjusting to their new home in our house and we are adjusting to not having her daily emails and our weekly (or so) meals at her favorite restaurant, the Bohemian Crystal in Westmont. We just miss her so.
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Judy Derpack
November 7, 2013
She always had a smile and got us moving at school. She instilled the importance of good physical exercise. The NCHS physical education department was going through a tremendously good change as they added a host of new classes, new and exciting classes like tumbling and modern dance. She was very instrumental in the changes and we girls flourished. Way before Title 9 advantages for girls, she was doing her best to get us included! She expected a lot and believed in us.
Brian M
November 5, 2013
While I never personally met Joan, I took care of her cottage in Wisconsin on Turtle Lake. We have been mowing the lawn, cleaning up the yard, and taking care of the pier for many years. We never met, but talked on the phone plenty of times and exchanged a lot of emails over the years. We have many customers, but Joan was one of the few that we were happy to get a call or email from, as she was always polite and cheerful. It was nice to see a picture of her to put a face behind all the conversations we had. Prayers for her family and friends..
Cheryl
October 18, 2013
This message goes out to all who have taken the time to sign this guest book for Joan Martin. Thank you for taking the time to write in this guest book. It is very touching to read the stories and see how she made a difference in so many people's lives. As one of her cousin's, I shared many good times over the years enjoying Joan's wit and just spending time with her. She had a love for animals and was always feeding the squirrels in her yard. She liked to join in family gatherings and was always ready to play card games during these occasions, but she also didn't like to lose. She loved watching her Chicago Cubs and would get kind of upset when they didn't win but she also knew there would be another day for them to try again. I enjoyed meeting up with her and Linda at a cottage she owned in WI, and she loved to fish in the lake and tell stories about her younger days. I hope she knows that she has left me with many special memories that will always be part of my life. Rest in peace, Joan. Love, Cheryl
October 17, 2013
Thank you Ms Martin for all the great help you gave in High School and at the Parents University a community service. Thanks for being a real person. Jackie McCauley
Tom Paulsen
October 17, 2013
Joan was an outstanding educator who loved young people and was dedicated to helping them understand the importance of being fit for life.
Tom Paulsen, colleague at Naperville Central
Sandy
October 15, 2013
Wonderful neighbor, great lady, miss her. May God be with her family and friends at this time.
Nick & Manny Peres von Teck
October 14, 2013
As the companion of my late sister Linda Barnes for twenty-five years until her death in 2002, Joan has been part of my family since 1975. With her death I feel as though I have lost another sister. We shared e-mails nearly every day and now I find myself with many things to tell her that I cannot. The law may not have recognized her as my family but she is. My husband and I will not stop missing her. Her cats, Griffin & Callie, are now safe in our home but you can tell they are waiting for their Joan. At least twice a month we dined with Joan at her favorite restaurant, the Bohemian Crystal in Westmont, enough times to have tried everything on the menu at least once. After Joan's urn is placed next to Linda's in the mausoleum, her family will gather there to remember her life, sharing stories around a table, which is what Joan wanted instead of a traditional funeral of "speeches and oratory." God, we miss her.
Joan Moran
October 14, 2013
Joanie will really be missed. I always enjoyed working with her in the IAHPERD. She was a terrific person and friend.
Ken Mueller
October 14, 2013
This is to Her family So sorry to hear about your lose I'm sure She will be missed
Jill Ryan
October 13, 2013
Thanks Miss Martin, for just being a good human being. You touched a lot of lives!
Tangie
October 12, 2013
Joan will be sorely missed she was a wonderful educator. May the God of comfort be with all that mourn her. I hope the happy memories of Joan will be with all that loved her always.
Barbara Loeding
October 12, 2013
I will remember her as an innovative educator and my high school NCHS PE teacher in 1968. Back before any of us knew anything about acupuncture, she explained to us that she was choosing acupuncture for her knee surgery and pain management instead of anesthesia and pain pills! We were in awe of her courage! Much later in my life, I therefore, recommended to my husband to use acupuncture and used it myself. Thank you Ms. Martin!! She taught us some valuable life skills that semester.
October 12, 2013
Joan was our Friday morning teacher breakfast friend. Each Friday she had kind words for us and frequently brought items for us to use at Beebe School. She was dedicated to and loved her profession of education. She will be missed. God bless. Jackie, Jan, Sharon, Barb, Doreen, Karen, Shel and Michelle
Debbie Trembacki
October 11, 2013
Joan's lifelong dedication to teaching and mentoring students is a remarkable legacy. May God bless Joan.
Peter Lloyd
October 11, 2013
Joan has been a wonderful neighbor for the past 10 years. Our family will miss her.
Melissa Hood
October 11, 2013
It was an honor to know Joan she welcomed me into her life and accepted and supported me as her pastor. After I left Naperville, she reached out to me with caring friendship. Thank you Joan for your generosity, kindness, honesty and faith. You made a difference and I am grateful.
Marie Huff
October 11, 2013
Dr. Joan will be missed. She was a wonderful mentor to the physical education student teachers at Aurora University. I knew her to be a caring and dedicated educator with a heart of gold. My prayers for peace to Dr. Joan and her family.
Tim and Cathy Barr
October 11, 2013
Joan was a wonderful and caring friend and neighbor. We considered her family and we will always be grateful for her friendship and kindness over the years. God bless her. We will miss her.
Cindi Willman
October 11, 2013
R.I.P. Joan. We will miss you at Aurora University.
Bill Seiple
October 11, 2013
Very sad day for the Naperville Central community. Nobody cared more about students and her program than Dr. Martin. We will miss you Joan.
Bob Bollenbach
October 11, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
L Nolan
October 11, 2013
Joan was a friend to NCHS to the end. She supported a pep club scholarship that benefitted many great kids. She was a wealth of stories of "how it used to be". We'll miss you, Dr. Martin.
October 11, 2013
We will miss our dear friend and former neighbor. Rest in peace Joan.
Dr. Alicia C. Cosky
October 11, 2013
I actually hired Dr. Martin as a University Supervisor at Aurora University where she dedicated her last decade to mentoring future physical educators during their methods and student teaching experiences. Dr. Martin always placed the students first and invested many hours sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with them. Her honest and straightforward approach to life was tempered by her kind and generous heart that reflected the true spirit of Aurora University - helping students discover their passion for teaching. Dr. Martin has left an enduring legacy in each student she mentored in their professional preparation. Thank you Dr. Martin, you have taught us well.
Cathy Pivonka
October 11, 2013
I had the pleasure of working with Joan at Aurora University. Such a kind and caring person. She will be missed!
john majzler
October 11, 2013
she use to live across the street from us on elmwood drive, she was a very nice lady
Beverly (Long) Jones
October 11, 2013
Miss Martin was a great teacher and friend. She provided support for me when my home life was not good. I will miss her.
Kirsten Bollenbach
October 11, 2013
You were an amazing friend, you left too soon. I will miss you more than words can express. God bless you Joan, tell Linda I miss her too. Love you!
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