Former Lewiston Councilwoman Joan E. Gipp dies

Joan E. Gipp, 86, a lifelong resident of Lewiston, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Our Lady of Peace, Lewiston, after a long illness.

She was married to the late Arthur H. Gipp, and was the daughter of the late William Martin and Annie Martin. She is survived by her sons William (William Mauceri) and Gerald (Sue Brade); by her sister, Sylvia Hoffmeier; and by a nephew, Martin Hoffmeier.

She began school at "Frog Hollow," and graduated from The Lewiston Red Brick School and SUNY Brockport.

Gipp's many accomplishments included teaching at Lewiston-Heights School and teaching preschool at The Lewiston First Presbyterian Church.

She was the first woman elected to Lewiston Town Council (1976-88). As councilwoman, Gipp was relentless in her initiative to protect the people and the land. She formed the environmental group "Operation Clean" in the 1990s, cautioning the community about allowing waste industries to expand, while raising health risk and quality of life issues.

Gipp referred to the use of local lands by the waste industry in a quote from a Niagara Gazette article, "How will we explain to future generations how Lewiston became a moonscape of holes and mountains?"

Gipp represented New York on the Great Lakes Commission, was a member of the Niagara County Planning Board, was on the OxyChem citizen advisory panel and chaired "Waste Watch," a national environmental advisory service.

Gipp was the inspiration for the book, "Beyond the Falls: A Modern History of the Lower Niagara River," written by Lisa Aug. She has been a member of Lewiston No. 1 Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary.

The Town of Lewiston proclaimed Aug. 1, 2003, as "Joan Gipp Day" to honor her contributions to the local community. Gipp received many other awards and citations.

A celebration of Joan's life will be held in April. Donations can be made on her behalf to The 3-F Club (Fin, Feather & Fur Conservation Society Inc.), 904 Swann Road, Youngstown, NY 14174; the Lewiston No. 1 ambulance fund, 145 N. Sixth St., P.O. Box 748, Lewiston, NY 14092; or Niagara County SPCA, 2100 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hardison Funeral Home, North Fourth and Ridge streets. Lewiston. Visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online registry.

Joan E. Gipp