My condolences to Joan's family.  

I will always be grateful to Joan for creating the profession of genetic counseling and for accepting me into the Sarah Lawrence Program in 1979.   I feel incredibly lucky to have had so many great years in the ever changing field of Genetics with the privilege of interacting with wonderful patients and health care professionals, including so many genetic counselors.  

Thanks again, Joan for all you did for Genetics and genetic counselors!  

Joan was a transformative figure. She created a highly respected medical profession, genetic counseling, out of nothing. She championed the profession throughout her life and served as a role model for thousands. 
Joan loved her cherished husband and family.  She instilled in her children and graduates strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
For some, Joan was a bit intimidating but once you knew her, it was a well used ploy. Her silence was deafening at times and rattled your nerves a bit but it was a fair tool to teach you the importance of listening. I owe everything in my life, professional and in many ways personal, to Joan. I was a kid who grew up on a red clay road (dirt road to non-Southerners) in North Carolina and had accomplishments beyond anything I could ever imagine. Somehow Joan saw something in me; something I was unaware of myself. I am beyond grateful.
We shared may laughs and a few drinks. She will always be my mentor and I will miss her profoundly. 
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson:
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
You allowed genetic counselors to touch so many lives and you touched each of ours. My condolences to her treasured family. Thank you, Joan. I will always love you. 
Betsy Gettig

My favorite teasing to Joan was that i always remembered her birthday. Hers was February 4 and mine is April 4. She was  3 months older than me.  I always reminded her of this.  
We had so many wonderful trips as couples and Joan with me. And How could I forget our stomping for Hilary.
My love and condolences to all of you. 
Pat Schoenfeld

Joan was a tour de force and a towering figure in the profession of genetic counseling. She anticipated the burgeoning need and importance for genetic counselors in healthcare and made sure we were prepared for the job. She was one of the major reasons I elected to go to Sarah Lawrence for Human Genetics training, and she advocated on my behalf throughout my time in the program and well beyond it. During our many conversations in her office at Slonim House, I felt like she really listened, and she had a way of making me feel important and understood, despite multiple demands on her time and energy.  Joan knew that GC students needed to be involved in clinical research, and her instrumental role in making us part of the NY Breast Cancer study was a win-win for the study and our training. I remember our times in Slonim fondly and still recall some of the guest lectures she arranged in Issues in Genetic Counseling as among the most important of my academic career. Joan was formidable but warm, and I recall the pride my class felt that she chose to "graduate" with us when she did, leaving a program that indelibly shaped the profession and for whom it is so aptly named. I am fortunate to have known Joan, and send my deepest condolences to her family. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy, and I felt as her student an extension of that warmth. Joan Marks was a true inspiration as a person and woman of science. She will be missed.

I want to express my deepest condolences with the Marks family. Joan was a mentor and friend of mine since the early 1980's when I met her as a genetic counseling student. My professional trajectory changed after receiving a call from her in the fall of 1989. She asked me to make a wish list of everyone I would invite to a CF conference to be held at Sarah Lawrence College to discuss how to implement population carrier screening for CF. Joan secured funding for this event, and it was a complete success. A small group of SLC alum were invited to dine with Joan in her home after the program, and she was a gracious host. Shortly after that, she asked me to join the Sarah Lawrence College Genetic Counseling Program as the fieldwork facilitator and prepare the first ABGC accreditation self study. I was honored and humbled to be chosen for this role among the many distinguished genetic counselors in NYC. Joan was grooming me to become a program director, although I did not know it at the time. As I work with students today, I instill the same values that Joan taught me many decades ago. On a personal note, as a member of a BRCA 1 family, Joan and Paul supported my sister with her breast cancer diagnosis, and the exceptional care that she received at Memorial Sloan Kettering is why she is a 20+ year cancer survivor. The genetic counseling profession lost one of its fiercest champions, but those of us who knew and worked with Joan will continue her legacy.

I have very fond memories of Joan. 
I met Joan in 1995 at my interview to enter Sarah Lawrence's genetic counseling program, where one of my legs fell asleep, and when I stood up to say goodbye I suddenly fell to the ground; we both laughed and she warned me to be careful because she broke her leg like that – from that moment I felt a bond with Joan and knew she was someone I could go to and look up to. 
Joan was an immense support during the program for many of the students, and especially for me (I hailed from Argentina). During the course of the program. I separated from my husband, so all of the sudden I was an unemployed graduate student with a small child and was thinking of leaving the program. When I talked to Joan, she simply picked up the phone and found me a summertime job in a lab.  In a matter of seconds, the problem was solved. 
That was how she was; she always found a way to solve things. 
After my graduation, years went by, and I to Chile closer to my family in Argentina. On one of my trips to NY fate had Joan and I meet again at all places my son's high school graduation´s party! The funny thing was, it was in a private apartment, and suddenly I see Joan: I was so surprised to see her there that I yelled: “Joan Marks, what are you doing here?¨ To which she replied: ¨What are you doing at my granddaughter´s graduation party?!"  
What a coincidence!! The world is a handkerchief!
Although we never saw each other again, I will always remember her fondly. She had an unparalleled presence and she taught me to cope even in the most difficult moments of my life.  It also has helped me during all these years of being the only genetic counselor in Santiago, Chile. Joan was always a great inspiration for aspiring genetic counselors, many of whom have become top of the field genetic counselors. She will always remain a true legend that strongly influenced and developed the field of genetic counseling, and with a warm heart. I am very fortunate to have met her. 

My condolences to the Marks family.  Joan was a  visionary  and a mentor for so many of us in the field of genetic counseling.  She will be missed.  She had a knack for encouraging us all to be the best we could be, as individuals and as genetic counselors.   

My sincere condolences to the Marks family. I am a 1979 graduate of the SLC Human Genetics Program, and will never forget my interview with Joan.  She was delighted that I was from New England, as she was, and she put me right at ease.   She was a leader, visionary and extraordinary woman, and I will be forever grateful that I had such a wonderful career because of her vision, and her dedication to that vision, of creating the exciting and ever challenging field of genetic counseling. Thank you, Joan, and may you rest in peace forever. You will not be forgotten. 

Your mom was a beloved friend! Always
Fun and loving..always  determined to
To see and do everything.. There is not a plant sale or a tag sale that we did not go to.. She had impeccable taste , extraordinary energy and a great giggle..I will miss my friend!
Abbey Rosenwald 

Deepest sympathies to the Marks family.  I graduated from the Human Genetics Program in 1979, when almost no one knew what a genetic counselor was, much less why they would want to hire one.  The profession has  grown and flourished, in large part because of the visionary leadership provided by Joan.  As others have said, I too made lifelong friends at SLC and subsequently working with outstanding genetic counselors.  I have always felt blessed that  I found such a rewarding  career, and we were well prepared to meet the challenges. Joan will be greatly missed, but her memory as an outstanding teacher, mentor, and caring
 person will live on. 

Joan was the fearless leader of this burgeoning profession. She pushed us to do better, reach higher and to use proper grammar and punctuation. I am not a hoarder but I kept all of my term papers from 1990. Notice the comment: is your typewriter missing a comma?  RIP Joan from this scrappy troublemaker.

I met Joan when I applied to the Counseling program in 1981. I had a strong science background, but no counseling. Joan accepted me to the program any way, with the recommendation that I take a counseling course over the summer. I took Cognitive Therapy with Dr. Aaron T. Beck himself. What an amazing ground work, and directly because of Joan. I completed the program and have now been in the field for over 35 years. Thank you Joan Marks. There are several hundred of us out here because of you. 
God Bless and deepest sympathy to her family. 

I never met Joan, but will always be grateful for all she did for the Genetic Counseling profession.  I remember vividly hearing her speak in 2012 when she received the Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award.  The importance of her leadership cannot be overstated and this came through in her talk.  My sincere condolences to her family and friends at this sad time.

Thankful.  I am thankful that Joan Marks was able to lead those pioneer genetic counselors in 1971 out into the field and to continue to teach, mentor, and push many of us toward career goals, professionalism, and leadership.  My heart is heavy today for our profession, for Joan's three children and grandchildren, but there is a smile that comes to my face as I recall that first week of school in 1986 when Joan spoke to us about how to wear our purse over our head, across our chest, with one hand on it at all times as we ventured into her beloved NYC.  I can honestly say, Joan helped mold me into the genetic counselor I am today and I am eternally thankful for that guidance.  mfg

Joan had a knack for picking people that would represent the genetic counseling field well in those early days. She instilled in us a strong sense of professionalism (always be "dressed" to be on call to see a patient, even if none were scheduled). Most of us recognized that we would not have a job waiting for us after graduation because we were creating a new profession. I was always shy until I came to Sarah Lawrence and blossomed as a genetic counselor. I greatly appreciate my time learning from Joan and others at SLC (class of 1984).  My classmates became some of my best lifelong friends, and the many colleagues I've met then and in successive class from SLC are among these best gifts of my life. Thanks for your legacy, Joan, and your belief in me.

Joan was indeed a magnificent pioneer. Smart, patient, visionary, kind, classy. It was a privilege to be under her early years of guidance. 

As a physician geneticist for 45 years, I can attest to the great success of the genetic counseling profession. It is said that successful people typically  surround themselves by those more capable than they are. I have  been surrounded by many accomplished genetic counselors who have been that for me. I married a Joan Marks-trained  Sarah Lawrence graduate, clearly the best decision of my life.

Thank you Joan for making the world a far better place through the legacy of the many genetic counselors you have trained.



Oh Joan, it was 45 years ago! I remember how nervous I was and afraid you wouldn’t want a student from the mid-west. How little I understood your amazing vision. You were such an amazing mentor, counselor, guide. A whole profession developed as a result of your efforts. You will be missed, while your legacy lives. RIP.

To the Joan Marks family - 

Joan was truly a pioneer in the genetic counseling field!  I often wonder if the genetic counseling  profession would be the same if it had not been for her.  My training at Sarah Lawrence was life changing and provided me with lifelong friends, and I credit her for allowing me to enter the genetic counseling profession.   I was sorry to hear of her passing and send my condolences to the family.  I am attaching a few photos from the class of 1991.  

Rich Dineen 

Joan was a remarkable guide for many young people, myself included. She has left a remarkable legacy and will be greatly missed.

I have always loved people and genetic counseling. When I think of my aspiring career I think of Sarah Lawrence and the legendary Joan H Marks! I am praying for the Marks family during this time. Thank you for sharing Joan with the world. 

What a wonderful legacy Joan has left behind.  The field of Genetic Counseling would not be what it is today without this wonderful woman's tenacity and strength.  Having had the opportunity to have her in my life pushing me to always strive to be better was an incredible gift.  I remember her visiting me after graduation when she was vacationing in AZ and inviting me to dinner with her husband.  It was intimidating for sure, but at the same time so welcoming.  During our dinner conversation, and in her very direct manner, she suggested I could be doing more.....more to push the field of Genetic Counseling further, more personally with my own development...I am sure that sounds familiar to many of you!  And to be fair to myself, I had only been out of school for a year!  From the Class of '86 - Thank You Joan.  You were a remarkable person.

Joan was a mentor and friend. She saw in me the potential to be a genetic counselor and encouraged me to become active in the profession. Joan had a special knack for knowing where you needed to grow as a student and professional. She was instrumental in my success. After graduation she continued to be a mentor and became a friend. The profession of genetic counseling would not be where it is today if Joan had not been involved. She also taught me to love and support Sarah Lawrence College. She will be missed but I will carry my fond memories of Joan into the future.

I echo a lot of what Beth shared - with Joan seeing potential in me that I'm not sure I even knew. Becoming a GC has been so rewarding and I'm forever grateful for the chance she took in accepting me to the program and the many lifelong friends made as part of the SLC GC class of 1995! Thank you Joan for your impact on my life and on the GC profession you passionately worked on for so many years. 

I am forever grateful to Joan Marks for seeing the potential in my 21yo self ( 1988) who walked into her office at Sarah Lawrence for an interview. She gave me a scholarship and a work study job so I could afford to attend SLC for my masters in genetic counseling. She assigned me  meaningful internships  with Mentors for life and finally wrote me a recommendation that sealed my first job at Univ of Miami. To say she changed the trajectory of my life is an understatement.  She was the epitome of  NY style  with her silver bob cut , and white convertible Mercedes . She cautioned us to enjoy NY, but not to walk around looking up at the buildings like a bunch of  tourist!  We joked as students that her goal was to put a  SLC GC in every state  ( and as many countries as possible!).   You made a difference in this world Joan!  RIP-

OBITUARY

Joan H Marks

February 4, 1929 – September 14, 2020

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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