Martha (Basan) Brindle

On January 21, 2023, Martha "Joy" Brindle, 94, left this earth to be reunited with loved ones who awaited her: her husband of 50 years, Richard "Dick" Brindle, and her second husband, Robert Albright; her parents, Soloman Basan and Lillian Blau Basan; sister, Pearl Basan Refkin (Max); nephews, Max and Daniel; and too many cats to mention…

Joy was born in Morganfield, KY on March 23, 1928 to Russian and Austrian immigrants, Sol and Lillian Basan. Sol, born in St. George-in-the-east area of London, was a shoe cobbler and relocated their family to Indianapolis when Joy was 12. Joy worked as a soda jerk in the front of Rural Drug at Rural & Washington Streets on Indy's near-east side during World War II. After graduating from Arsenal Tech High School in 1946, Joy attended Indiana University where she earned a degree in Business Law and a master’s degree in English from Butler University.

While at Indiana University, Joy met the love of her life, Dick, who studied Chemistry, after serving in the European theatre (Normandy; Battle of the Bulge) and earning a Bronze Star for his service in the Army during World War II. Dick and Joy enjoyed a rich, fulfilling life together. They shared a love of music, particularly the jazz of Wes Montgomery, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles. This undoubtedly inspired their daughter, Rebecca "Beki", who has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

 Joy worked as a teacher of stenography at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, led administrative efforts at the Indiana Statehouse during a few sessions, and experienced a long teaching career at Carmel High School, where she taught typing (keyboarding), and business law classes. Joy retired in 1994.

 After celebrating 50 marvelous years of marriage with Dick, he suddenly passed in 2002. In 2013, Joy was unexpectedly reintroduced to her first love, Robert "Bob" Albright, after a gap of 67 years. The couple married in 2014. Bob passed just over 5 years ago.

Joy is survived by her children, Rebecca (Ralph) and Nathan (Sally); grandchildren, Kevin (Helle); great-grandchildren, Gibson, Tilde, Bodhi, and Liv; step-grandchildren, Dean, Ralph Jr., and Franchesca; nieces and nephews, Joseph, Melynda, Cynthia, Karen, Judy, Steve, Patty, Ellen, Kevin, John, Sara, Robert, Marianne, David, Michael, Murray, and Mark; and many, many more.

Funeral service to be held at Aaron Ruben Nelson Mortuary, 11411 North Michigan Road, on Thursday, January 26th at 4 PM, for those unable to attend in-person this service will be livestreamed.  A private graveside burial at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation North Cemetery will be held on Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Foundation or to a favorite not-for-profit supporting cats.

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