Diane Edna (Jewett) Martin

Diane Edna (Jewett) Martin, 84 of Champion, NY, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was born in Smithville, NY on January 24, 1941 to Donald and Ida (Sackett) Jewett during a severe snowstorm in the corner bedroom of the family home. Her family then moved to Copenhagen, NY on the River Road, where she spent her adolescent years. She loved to help on the farm, and often could be found attending animals.

She graduated from Copenhagen High School with the Class of 1959. Her career started at Grants Store and Black Clawson. She met Bernard James Martin and they married on September 16, 1961. The two built their farm “Martin's Borrowed Acres” in the Hamlet of Champion. During the 64 years they were together Diane was often found attending her Black Angus and Simmental cattle. Never a need for a veterinarian as she was well versed with most anything her animals needed. She would drive a tractor from morning till evening all while attending her children.

She leaves behind her husband, Bernard, her three daughters, Cynthia (Stanley) Sech, Champion, NY, Cathy (Steven) Daughen, Brownville, NY, and Cheryl Martin, Watertown, NY; a son, Bernard J. Martin Jr., Copenhagen, NY; her sister, Yvonne Thompson, Limerick, NY; sisters-in-law, Marcia Jewett, Pamelia, NY, Judy Jewett, Brownville NY, Francis Jewett, Watertown, NY, and Lillian Martin, Antwerp NY; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer Sech, Matthew and Mariah Sech, Heather and Ryan Hentz, Dylan and Lexi Daughen, Alexis Daughen; 6 great-grandchildren, Arya, Adalynn, Ryley, Harper, Ruben, and Winona; as well as many nieces and nephews.  

She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, Donald, Dalon, Kilton and Thomas Jewett, her sister Linda Jewett and a nephew Donald and Thomas C. Jewett II; two brothers-in-law Leland "John” and Howard Martin.

Diane loved to work on the farm and always made her children a part of that life. Her son and daughters began showing cattle at the Jefferson County Fair, and New York State Fair with her help and guidance with animal husbandry. She built a purebred stock of Black Angus and Simmental cattle that often took many awards. Her most prestigious award would be 1989 NYS Champion Steer Junior Show, and the sale of that animal to Gallagher’s Steak House in NYC. She also volunteered her time with Jefferson County Dairy Princess helping her daughter Cheryl to 1st runner up. She also could be found at the county fair selling merchandise and milk to benefit the NYS Dairy Pageant. She was a member of the Jefferson County Fair Board, Jefferson County Cornell Cooperative Extension, NYS Dairy Assoc., NYS Beef Cattlemen’s Assoc., and Jefferson County Dairy Association. She also volunteered for NY Relay for Life “Team Tom” to benefit her brother with Multiple Sclerosis and was active in the W Carthage Elementary PTO and helped start Secret Santa. She and her husband were Champion Citizens of the Year in 1993.

She maintained all the bookkeeping for her husband’s milk hauling business as well as the farm. She had detailed breeding records of all her cattle. She went back to work after her children were in high school and married. She started with Timeless Frames and then retired from Tyco Kendall and Geck.

She traveled the states with her granddaughters family in Colorado, to Nascar events from New Hampshire to Daytona to Texas Motor Speedways. She made several trips with her classmates to many locations with special visits to Las Vegas to gamble. She loved local trips to the casino and spending time with her extended family.

A great thanks to all her doctors at Watertown Internists Dr. Jason White, and Northern New York Neurological Dr. Ali, the staff and doctors at Samaritan and her home healthcare associates.

Arrangements are with the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home.  The family will have a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 12th from Noon to 3 p.m. at the Town of Champion Fire Hall. 

Donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Foundations or Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be left at www.hartandbrucefh.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.