Elizabeth Joan Martin

MT. MARION…… Elizabeth “Joan” Martin, 88. passed away peacefully, Friday, February 17, 2023 at the Westchester Medical Center surrounded by her family. She was born November 19, 1934 in Patchogue, Long Island. She was the daughter of the late Ethan and Martha Allen. Joan married the love of her life, Don who was in the Navy, on July 19, 1953 at the Saugerties United Methodist Church. After their marriage Joan joined Don in Key west, FL. Upon Don’s discharged from the service, Joan, Don and their beautiful daughter Donna, headed back to New York. They bought their first and only home in Mt. Marion Park and moved in on October 31, 1958, Halloween night. With trick or treaters knocking on the door, the only thing they had to hand out were Ritz crackers. Joan and Don were married for 69 years and blessed with four children. Joan was employed for 33 years in the family business, Ethan Allen Enterprises, as a bus driver for children with special needs. She loved her job and the joy these children brought her. Joan loved reading, gardening, American history, playing rummy, the New York Yankees and making up songs for her grandchildren. She loved them all “A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”. She loved all holidays and decorating for them, but Christmas was her favorite. In 1977, Joan and her sister Tomi’s families made a six-week cross country trip in rented RV’s. After this trip they each bought their own RV’s and spent every year after vacationing together with their children and later their grandchildren as well as other sisters and brother who also had RV’s. Lake George, Deer Run, North Lake, Myrtle Beach and Disney were favorites and provided endless memories and stories. After they retired, Joan and Don, along with her sister Tomi and husband Bob, spent 16 winters at Seasons in the Sun RV Park in Mims, FL. They all loved this time, the people they met and friendships they formed. Joan was a devoted and loving, daughter, sister, wife, mother, nana, friend. The love she had for her family and the pure joy they gave her was what got her through some of her most difficult times, along with her deep faith in God. We will miss her beautiful and infectious smile. There are no words to express how much we will miss her. We will all hold her in minds and our hearts until the day we can hold her in Heaven.

Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Donald J. Martin, two sons: Danny J. of CA. & Dale J. (Joline) Martin of New Paltz. A daughter, Diane (Jim) Chontos of Mt. Marion, a son-in-law, Michael Turck of Kingston. Her siblings: Elaine Wolff, Judy Brandt, Vestella Madison, Ethana Bosch, William (Linda) Allen, Frank (Rosemary) Allen, Tomi Beck, Linda (Edward) Coddington, Larry (Delores) Allen, Steven (Patricia) Allen, and brother-in-law Alan Golgoski. Seven grandchildren: Shannon (Dr. Matthew) Shafiroff, Shane (Sarah) Turck, Dr. Ashley Chontos, Kyle (Brianna) Martin and Shelby (Alex) Munoz, Dr. Brian (Dr.Qi) Frey and Brooke (Joe) Graham. Ten great grandchildren: Jackson and Lily Shafiroff, Margaret, Maeve, Fiona and Cavin Turck, Myles and Lloyd Munoz and Blake and Rae Graham as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Donna Turck, and siblings: Debbie Golgoski, Ethan and Robert Allen, sister-in-laws Nancy and Ann Bonesteel, brothers-in-law Roman Wolff, Donald Madison, Charles Brandt and Robert Beck, and daughter-in-law Priscilla Clausi. Joan’s family would like to thank all the staff and nurses at the Kingston Dialysis Center and all the staff and drivers at Mobile Life. The care, respect and compassion you gave to my wife, our mother, is something we will never forget and will be forever grateful for. You are all truly special people.

Her Funeral Service will be held 1:00 PM Sunday at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, Inc. Corner of John & Lafayette Streets, Saugerties. Friends will be received on Saturday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In Lieu of flowers, family suggests donations in her memory be made to the Mount Marion Fire Dept or Saugerties Animal Shelter. Burial will be at a later time at the family’s discretion. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family on Joan’s Tribute Wall at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com

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