Joan Sinex died Dec. 31, 2007, after a long, eight-year battle with vascular dementia. She was born May 23, 1922, in New York City to Harry Oliver Martin and Esther Wilfer. She worked as a nurse in New York and then at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where she met and married F. Marott Sinex, now deceased. Moving to Wellesley, Mass., she raised two daughters, Ellen Vlasak (Gregory) of Oak Harbor and Margaret Sinex of Macomb, Illinois, both of whom survive her.

She moved to Oak Harbor in 1998, finding on Whidbey Island a place that reminded her of the New England she dearly loved. She was an avid gardener and birder and enjoyed music, dancing, and needlework. As dementia took its toll over the years, she remained affectionate, smiling, and curious about the world around her. We would like to thank the staff at Harbor Care for the care and affection they have given her. She will be missed by those whose lives she touched.