Diane Martin

GLENS FALLS – Diane Martin, of Elm Street and formerly of Hudson Falls, NY passed away on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, after a nine year struggle with cancer.

Born on October 15, 1944 in Cleveland Ohio, she was the daughter of Gerhardt and Helen (Kozak) Rauch.

Diane was a graduate of Parma High School in Parma, Ohio and then continued her education at the Cleveland Institute of Music, majoring in piano and organ performance and where she met her future husband, Bill.

On August 28, 1965, she married William “Bill” Martin at the Oehlhoff Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH.

After college, she moved with her husband, who was in the U.S. Army Band, first to Arlington VA, then to New York City, and Newport, New York. Diane and Bill then came to Hudson Falls where Bill taught school and then developed his own businesses while she established herself as a music educator, pianist and organist. She was the organist for the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls for over 25 years and the Music Director for the Temple Beth-El in Glens Falls for over 40 years. One of her proudest life moments was being given the Woman of Valor award (one of the highest awards given by the Jewish Community) and the key to the City of Glens Falls, in 2012.

Diane was truly a woman of valor to all that knew her, especially her loving family, students, and friends. “Adorned with strength and dignity, she looked to the future with strength and trust.” She loved spending time with her boys, seeing them grow, and especially loved seeing them marry, gaining the wonderful daughters she always wanted. She loved traveling with her husband, Bill, and fell in love with the city of Prague in the Czech Republic, to which they returned many times over the years both as a couple and with members of their extended family.

Her father, Gerhardt Rauch passed away before her.

Survivors include her husband, Bill, of more than 50 wonderful years; her two sons, Dylan Martin and his wife Allison of Fredonia, NY and David Martin and his wife Dorothy of Arlington, MA; her mother, Helen (Kozak) Rauch of Medina, Ohio; her sister, Sharon Hofmeister of Sagamore Hills, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

After a private funeral service, burial will take place at a later date at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in the town of Stillwater.

A memorial celebration of Diane’s life will be held in the social hall at Temple Beth-El , 3 Marion Ave., Glens Falls, NY for all who knew and loved her on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at 2 P.M.

Donations in memory of Diane may be made to Gateway House of Peace, 479 Rowland Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.