October 27, 1936 - May 25, 2017

JoAnn Ruth Martin was born on October 27, 1936 in Lansing, Mich.

She died on May 25, 2017, after living a vibrant life filled with love and devotion to her husband, Saul Kent, and to friends, family, and charitable causes, particularly three organizations she founded, The Riverside Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), The California DBSA, and The Detroit Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA).

Fiercely independent, JoAnn grew up in Lansing with her mother, Ruth; her father, Rial and her brother, Robert. JoAnn became a teacher and a musician, playing the piano and singing in venues around the country.

She had two children, Emily McCue of Mammoth, Calif., and Nathalie Martin of Albuquerque, N.M. She was married for several years to Don Martin, the father of her daughter, Nathalie.

In 1985, she met the love for her life, Saul Kent. The two shared many interests, including cryonics. JoAnn soon moved from Detroit to California to be with Saul.

In 1986, JoAnn and Saul bought a property in Riverside, Calif., where JoAnn's passion for music, gardening, painting, and architecture enabled her to create a beautiful setting that would be used over the next three decades to hold many events, beginning with the wedding of her daughter, Nathalie, in 1988.

JoAnn's generosity was well-known in the community and her loss will be felt in the lives of hundreds of people. Jo Ann founded the Riverside DBSA in the fall of 1987, and has graciously opened her home to the public for DBSA meetings, holiday barbecues and dinners ever since.

She has been a friend and great source of support for mental health clients and advocates throughout the years. Jo Ann felt that her own experience with mental illness gave her insight and allowed her to help others. Jo Ann was first diagnosed with manic depression in 1963, the same year JFK was killed.

JoAnn is survived by husband, Saul Kent; daughters, Emily McCue and Nathalie Martin, and many friends.

A memorial to celebrate the life of JoAnn Martin will be held at her home on June 24, 2017, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in JoAnn's memory may be made to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 490, Chicago, IL, 60604.

Cards may be sent care of Nathalie Martin, 1117 Stanford N.E., Albuquerque, NM, 87106.

More:

JoAnn Ruth Martin, Riverside, Calif. - Mason City Globe Gazette