JoHanne (Zerbey) Martz

JoHanne Zerbey Martz of Orwigsburg passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022. at St. Lukes Anderson Hospital. 

Born in Pottsville on January 1, 1933 she was a daughter of the late Elizabeth Zerbey and Uzal H. Martz.   She was preceded in death  by her brother Uzal Martz, Jr,, her sister Elizabeth Jane and stepson Billy Mosolino.

JoHanne is survived by her sister-in-law, Jun and nephew Cameron, wife Dana and daughter Trinity of North Carolina; Eric and wife Tara of New York.    Her large extended family and friends include Deke Rudloff, her stepson Geoffrey Mosolino and his two sons, Geoffrey Jr.  and Justin, Eddie Barnes, Amy Barnes, Kali Wilkinson, Dylan Wilkinson and daughter, Lilly, Mariah Wilkinson, Jordan Mosolino, Amanda Mosolino, Connor Hirsh, Riley Long, Athena Long,  and her beloved pets.

JoHanne lived a unique, accomplished  and unconventional life. Independent as a child, she attended boarding school in New England and high school in Arizona, where she fell in love with the west and ranching and cowboy life. By chance, during a vacation at a California ranch, she was offered a job at a pack station in the Sierra Mountains, where she worked for several summers. Her lifelong friendships and experience impacted and influenced the rest of her life.

After graduating from Stanford University, JoHanne taught school in Hollister, California, where she lived until moving back to Pennsylvania to attend law school.  After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law school, she moved back to Pottsville where she was one of the first female lawyers in Schuylkill county.  An innovative thinker and problem solver, she accepted a job as assistant attorney general in Harrisburg. She left that position to act as counselor and officer at J.H. Zerbey Newspapers, Inc. 

Some of her accomplishments and positions include crossing the Arctic Circle in 1959, serving on the board of United Cerebral Palsy , serving on the board of the Union Bank, serving on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Orphan's Court, and running a popular bed and breakfast from her Patchwork Farm.  She is listed in Who's Who of American Women and is a member of the DAR.

JoHannes love of animals and especially horses began at a young age. She showed Appaloosa horses, Saddlebreds, and owned and bred horses throughout her life.  JoHanne welcomed all kinds of stray animals, and she rescued cats, dogs, goats, horses, chickens and even a pig. 

Those we knew JoHanne will remember her as a mentor and benefactor to all the neighborhood children and to everyone she knew who needed a new start in life. 

Funeral services to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, JoHanne wishes donations to be made to the Schuylkill County Therapeutic Riding  Programs, c/o Sue Bosak,  1760 Sweet Arrow Lake Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.   Checks should  be made payable to Schuylkill County Therapeutic Riding  Program or SCTRP, phone 484-225-0241 or to Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center,  375 Zions Stone Church Road, New Ringgold, PA  17960

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