Jean Martin Warholic

Jean Roberts Martin Warholic passed away on 7/14/14 at the age of 70 from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. She resided on Ringwood Road in Freeville for over 30 years, followed by moves to Longview, Clarebridge and Beechtree Care Center. Family and friends are grateful for the many caregivers who supported Jean during her long illness. Memories of her bright smile and vivid personality will continue to brighten our lives.

Jean was born in Bloomington, IN to Clyde and Alice Jones Martin. The doctor who delivered her was the first woman doctor in that community. Jean played oboe in the high school band and also set several records as a near Olympic swimmer. She returned to Bloomington to attend Indiana University, where she received her BS in Arts and Sciences. It was here that she met her future husband, Don Warholic. Jean served briefly as an Appalachin Volunteer in the Eastern Kentucky coalfields and then worked for 2 years as a photographer for the Mountain Eagle Newspaper in Whitesburg.

Jean and Don were married in 1970 following his return from several years in the Peace Corps in Nigeria and Somalia. They moved to Ithaca for Don to pursue graduate studies, and then employment, as a Research Assistant in the Dept. of Vegetable Crops at Cornell. Jean worked for the Interlaken, Trumansburg, and Ovid newspapers, and then later for Cornell on various departmental grant projects. Jean also was the Executive Secretary of the NYS Vegetable Growers Association for 19 years, managing their office and promotional efforts, as well as producing their newsletters and co-managing the annual statewide winter conference.

Jean volunteered for a variety of organizations, including the Dewitt Historical Society (now the History Center of Tompkins County), Fingerlakes Beekeepers, and the Ithaca Memorial Society (now the Funeral Consumer's Alliance). She worked on special projects, many of them relating to photography, including production of the Verne Morton book. She was also very active in the Black Sheep Handspinners Guild since is inception in 1974, and was known for her interest in indigo dyeing. She never missed an opportunity to ride a Carousel, and loved all things "cat".

Jean was predeceased by her husband Don in 1990, and by her mother Alice in 2010.
Her father Clyde, younger brother Reed Martin and wife Barbara (6431 79th St.
Cabin John, MD 20818), and her cat Katahdin, survive her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Home Textile Museum, P.O. Box 153, Rome, PA 18837; History Center of T.C., 401 E. State St., Ithaca; SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, or to Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca. NY 14850.

An informal time of remembrance will be held on Sun., 8/10 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. at the home of Monte and Ellie May, 1360 Slaterville Rd., Ithaca., 607-272-8224;
[email protected]