Joan W. Martin

August 22, 1937 - November 13, 2012

GENEVA/NEWARK - Joan W. Martin formerly of Geneva passed away on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 in the Clifton Springs Nursing Home. Friends may call at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home, 181 N. Main ST., Geneva on Sunday, November 18, 2012, from 2-5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2012 in the Zion Lutheran Church. Funeral Services will follow at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2012 in the Zion Lutheran Church. Vicar Nancy Knol will officiate. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions, in her memory, may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church or to the Geneva Rotary Club Foundation. Joan was born in Geneva and was a lifelong resident of this area. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Margaret Carson Whitaker. She was a graduate of Geneva High School and spent many years teaching and performing in many areas of music. She was an accomplished Pianist and organist. She was involved with many productions in the area including the Geneva Theater Guild, and many high school musicals and played at Geneva on the Lake. Along with her husband they owned and operated the Martin Music Store in downtown Geneva. She was a member of the Geneva Rotary Club and the Penn Yan Rotary Club. She served at President of the Geneva Rotary Club from 1996-97, was a Paul Harris Fellow and played music at several Rotary district and local functions. Joan received the Citizen of the Year award in 1996 and was nominated for the Athena Award in 2006. She was a longtime member of the Zion Lutheran Church where she was the organist for 42 years. She is survived by her husband: Thomas W. Martin of Newark; her son: Richard (Cindy) Breitfeld of Shortsville and her daughter: Barbara Breitfeld of Waterloo; her brother: James (Barbara) Whitaker of Fairport and Six grandchildren: Crystal, Jessie, Katherine, Lisa, Marie and Orey and one great grandchild: Liam. Several Nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister: Kay Smith.