Joan Marie Martin

Joan Marie Martin, surrounded by her children, passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, in Wenatchee, Washington. She was just two days shy of her 89th birthday. Born on May 13, 1936, in Clark, South Dakota, Joanie lived a life filled with love, faith, family, friendship, and service. At the age of 5, she moved with her family to Bremerton and lived in “The Projects” while her father worked in the shipyards during WWII. She attended Star of the Sea Catholic School through 8th grade. After graduating from Bremerton High School in 1954, she began working as a switchboard operator at the Naval Torpedo Station. She often shared her childhood memories of blackouts and barrage balloons. Little did she know, the admired redheaded basketball player of Bremerton High, would ask her hand in marriage in 1955. Joanie was the beloved wife of Gordon Martin for 63 devoted years, by his side not only in life but also in their family-run grocery business. With their first baby in arms, they moved to Quincy in 1958. In 1963, with an additional 3 children they moved to Cashmere and opened their first grocery store. By 1969 the family was complete with 7 children. Her devotion to raising her children included many years of volunteering at school, chaperoning various activities, attending school concerts, sporting events and recitals. After retiring in 1992 they moved to Wenatchee and enjoyed wintering in Palm Desert, California. Together, they built a life marked by partnership, perseverance, and generosity. Joanie had a warm and welcoming spirit, always ready with a smile, a helping hand, or a story from her remarkable travels. She was known to light up the room with her smile, hug, storytelling and jokes. Her passions were many: she gave generously of her time, volunteering with Hospice respite care, Habitat for Humanity (in both Wenatchee and Palm Desert), and teaching religious education. She was also a proud and longtime member of the Cashmere Orthopedic C-Hospital Guild. Alongside Gordon, she shared a special calling for service at Martha’s Kitchen in Palm Desert. Joanie loved children and gave countless years to the PTA and continued to volunteer at Rancho Dos Palmas Elementary in California. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cashmere from 1963-1993 and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wenatchee from 1993-present. In her final years she treasured the time spent with her prayer/rosary group. Her faithful and servant heart will always be remembered. Joanie had a sense of adventure; she traveled around the world with friends and family. Her passions were many: Over the years she loved spending time at Lake Chelan with those she loved. In the 1970s, she was an avid tennis player at the Wenatchee Racquet Club. Joanie remained an enthusiastic golfer well into her 80s—in the early years at the Leavenworth Golf Course, and later at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club. Grandma Joanie cherished her time spent with her grand /great-grandchildren. She was adored and so loved by each one of them. She was always proud to share that she has had a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild in the Cashmere School District continuously, from 1963 to the present. She was a true BULLDOG! Joanie is survived by her loving children: Sue, Tracy Franklin (Ron), Mike (Michelle), Jeff (Julie), Rob (Annie), and Kris Reinhart (Kirby). Grandma Joanie was a proud and devoted grandmother to 22 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister Barb Farmer (Larry); ;sister-in-law Marlene Johnson (Dave); her cherished Aunt Bette Hansch; countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Known as “Mama Martin” to many of her children’s friends, they knew her door was always open. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gordon; her daughter Julie; her parents Lyle and Harriett Scouten; and her sister Carol Laski. A visitation and Holy Rosary will be held Thursday, May 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jones, Jones & Betts Funeral Home in Wenatchee. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Friday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome Foundation (www.rtsplace.org) or Cashmere Schools Foundation (210 S. Division Ave, Cashmere, WA 98815) The family would like to thank all the medical professionals who so kindly supported Joanie these past few months. Joanie’s life was a testament to love, service, and strength. She never lost her joy, her faith, or her deep appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Please express your thoughts and memories on our online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones - Betts Funeral Home.

Tributes

Joan Marie Martin

May 13, 1936 - May 11, 2025