Joan Kazmarek

1951 - 2018

Joan Kazmarek July 1951 - November 2016 Encinitas Lightly adapted from Frost's well-known poem:,,,,, Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry she could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long she stoodAnd looked down one as far as she couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, she kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,She doubted if she should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and sheShe took the one to travel with me,And that has made all the difference.,,,,,Joan Elizabeth Kazmarek, impact nigh too voluminous to scribe, chose the path of motherhood and all the joy, love, challenge, and sacrifice required of the task. Born in Detroit in 1951 to Robert and Sally Kazmarek, Joan was one of seven brothers and sisters, five surviving today to revere her memory. As a girl, her curious spirit and quest for knowledge led to a phD program in nutrition at Michigan State. The alluring blend of art and science evolved into a years-long cross country adventure on ranches in Montana and Colorado, at once being both a cook and cross-country skier in the Great West wilderness. As but one example of her talent, she could discern the temperature of an oven based on the smell of the wood she was burning in the kitchen.Upon reaching a break in her yellow wood, financial offers to found bakeries and restaurants in hand, Joan chose motherhood. Married in 1980, Joan gave birth to her only son, Robert, in 1981 and Joan and her young son began traveling this new road together. As devoted as she was courageous, Joan created quality time innumerable and memories immemorial. Yet the path of motherhood branched beyond merely Robert. Throughout her 35 years of professional service, largely spent sleuthing out oft-overlooked intricacies of government contracts in the medical device industry, Joan's passion for goodness and fondness for life touched colleagues, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. The homemade baked goods, a listening ear, a gentle smile, or observations expounded upon from the porch of her home gave warmth and hope to any and all within range, and even those beyond it.Mission of motherhood complete, Joan began the uncommon task of doubling back to travel her long invisible yet never forgotten second path. Galvanized by sisters Diane and Lois, she became drawn to the allure of a new life in retirement and began embarking on this new dream with a zeal matched but by the love shared with her son. Santa Fe home picked out and boxes at the ready, Joan began traveling her second path, in the process revealing magic, excitement, and a promise of untold enchantment. One couldn't say what lay ahead her new path lay as unspoilt as the one she first set upon all those years ago. God saw fit, however, to recall Joan before her New Mexico dream could fully blossom into the wondrous new life everyone aspired for her to enjoy. As tragic as her sudden loss is enlightening, Joan is survived by her inspired son and her ever-present reminder that dreams are for today. She was happy up to the moment she passed, having the rare fortune and blessing to travel one path and embark upon another, and she surely gazes upon her loved ones and friends with that same warm smile none of us will ever forget.Joan Kazmarek: dream chaser, beloved mother, cherished daughter, treasured sister, adored aunt, curious nutritionist, trusted colleague, inspired painter, lifelong learner, divine baker, esteemed cook, thoughtful photographer, master knitter, horticultural enthusiast, authentic laugher, posture corrector, radiant smiler, process lover, avid reader, dog supporter, flexible yogi, unrelenting wordsmith, quality time enjoyer, memory creator, free spirit and dear friend.