Taken May 31st 2019.  Even at 96 Martha was full of life and smiling as always.            

I WILL MISS HER RECOLLECTIONS -  Martha was proud of her Lebanese heritage, but having spoken only Arabic at home, she found it  difficult  to enter grade school without knowing English. This challenge was compounded by the fact that she developed a stutter which she overcame only in high school with the help of speech therapy provided by Sr. Ruth Trautman.  
     As a teenager, Martha was diagnosed with a type of hearing loss that led to progressive deafness in her later years and yet, one would be hard pressed to find a better listener.  On the other hand, if she really didn’t want to hear something, she would just “let things go in one hearing aid and out the other.”   
I WILL MISS HER OPTIMISM-  Even in her 90s Martha remained young at heart; she was not one to long for the “good ole days.” When asked about her hopes for those who were senior to her, she said she would encourage them “not to give up,” but to “keep up with the culture of today.”  Her own openness was evident in the way she embraced changes triggered by Vatican II.  She immediately enrolled in theology courses at St. Bonaventure and began participating in various interfaith gatherings.                   
     Martha also brought new life to the  Clarence Residence when she  created the Smiles Program to engage the "older" Sisters. (She was 87 at the time!)      	        							
 I WILL MISS HER SMILE - Martha had a magnetic smile that drew people to her.  This was especially evident at St. Patrick’s Church in Randolph.  As soon as the priest said “Go now; the mass is ended,” half of the congregation would line up at Martha’s pew, eager to give and receive a warm hug from her.  Then, as they turned to leave,  they would tell me how much they loved her and what a blessing she was to them.  
NOW THAT PEW IS EMPTY; the good and faithful servant has been called Home.  And so, dear friend, until we meet again, I will not only miss your recollections, your optimism and your smile; I will miss you.




The Joseph Family left a lasting impression of love, hospitality and generosity on the parishoners of St. Joan of Arc Church, Perrysburg and St. Paul of the Cross Church, Dayton.  Fr. Peter Joseph was pastor and Sr. Martha was the pastoral assistant for a few years.  Through them we met the rest of the Joseph siblings, all of whom Sr. Martha has now joined in heaven.   During the "Fr. Joseph/Sr. Martha era" first communions and confirmations were held at St. Joan of Arc and the younger Stangs  were part of those classes.  The family photo albums contain photos of many happy memories!  Condolences to the entire Joseph Clan on the passing of the last of the Joseph siblings. 

My deepest sympathy, Sister Martha is in our thoughts and prayers.
Josephine Daher

May I share my Sister Martha memory...
When I arrived at St. John Maron's Church on August 1, 1975, my wedding day, Sister Martha was first to greet me. After pleasantries, she mentioned that the back of my wedding dress was quite wrinkled. It was 96 degrees that day and no air conditioning in my father's car.  So Sister Martha took me down to the rectory basement, had me remove my dress and proceeded to iron out the wrinkles. I will never forget such a genuine act of love for a bride on her special day. In addition, our four grown children have such fond memories of her as their religious education teacher. God indeed blessed us with her presence. 
Our love and condolences to the Joseph Family.

I attended Our Lady of Loreto school in Falconer NY where the then Sister Regina Marie taught.  She was smart, caring and fun to be around.  Many good memories of childhood to which she contributed!  My deepest sympathy to her family.  Rest In Peace dear Sister Martha. 

I remember Sr. Martha Joseph at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. She is wonderful and very friendly. I always fond of her since I was a kid in Boy Department. My heart sent prayer for Sr. Martha and her family. 

Dear Tom and Family,
So sorry to hear about Sister Martha. I met Sister when she stayed in Perrysburg taking care of her brother, Father Peter, when he was pastor there. I lived in Gowanda at the time and Tom and I were classmates at DPS. I remember her smile and her kindness. God is happy to have her help in heaven.
Stephen Cocca

OBITUARY

Sister Martha Joseph, SSJ

July 15, 1922 – March 3, 2021

Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home

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