ONEONTA – Joan Elizebeth Marquit Lutz, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died April 3, 2008 at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown.

Joan was born November 26, 1938 in Kingston, NY, the daughter of James F. Marquit, Sr. and Lillian Trede Marquit.

While a young girl, the family moved to Prattsville, where Joan grew up. She graduated from Gilboa-Conesville Central School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from State University College at Oneonta in 1960. Following graduation, she taught at Gilboa-Conesville Central and Charlotte Valley Central School in Davenport. She returned to teaching in 1970, serving in the Oneonta City School District as a substitute teacher, then as Tutorial Mathematics and Reading Instructor.

In 1979, the family purchased the Dairy Queen in Oneonta and operated it for seven years. Joan then served as Interim Executive Director of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. Until her retirement in 2002, she worked in the Business Office at Hartwick College.

Joan was very active in community organizations. She was co-founder and secretary of Leatherstocking Candlelighters, a support group for families dealing with pediatric cancer. She was former secretary and director of Catskill Area Hospice, former director of the Otsego County unit of the American Cancer Society, former officer of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Oneonta Jayncees, and director of the Oneonta Family YMCA. Most recently, she was president of Beta Sigma Phi service sorority, a member of the Fox Hospital Guild and a volunteer at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital. She was also a 45-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta.

In 1987, Joan was named Otsego County's Outstanding Citizen by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. In 2000, she was named Woman of the Year for Beta Sigma Phi.

Joan is survived by her husband of 47 years, Sayers (Al) Lutz; a daughter, Rachel Lutz Jessup; twin granddaughters, Jamie and Kacey Jessup; a grandson, Andrew Lutz; a brother, James F. Marquit, Jr. and his wife, Annemarie, of Middleburgh and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a son, Steven.

Visiting hours will be held at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, on Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 292 Main Street, Oneonta, on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

Interment will be held at the Glenwood Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Steven Lutz Scholarship Fund, c/o Oneonta Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 1083, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be made at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.