Sarah C. Martin

MARTIN - Sara Catherine Marin, our beloved Mum passed on Thursday morning February 4, 2010 following a prolonged illness, holding her daughter Sarah’s hand and embraced by her grandson John. She was predeceased by her loving steadfast husband of 68 years, John Xavior Martin, and their dear son Thomas Edward Martin. She survived her mother Anna E. Overly, her father Cecil Leslie Overly, her sisters Dorothy Lloyd, Annabell Smith and Mary Jane Sleppi. She is survived by her three children, Sarah, John and Michael and their spouses; grandchildren Tony, John, David, Nick Thomas, and Patrick; granddaughters Michelle, Betsey, Mary, Anne, Katie, Chrissy and Ginny, and great grandchildren Madeline and John Jr. She was born 90 years ago in Greensburg, PA and grew-up there. After graduating high school in 1938 she went to work in a manufacturing plant, Robert Shaw, in Greensburg. When the war effort began she was assigned to a large munitions machine previously operated by men, which reamed 105 millimeter shells for assembly. Intimidated at first, she earned the respect of her male co-workers by greatly increasing the output in her assembly line. She was diminutive and her small hands fit beneath the reamer press and rotor blades enabling her to perform the task which had claimed many large male fingers. She was very proud of her “Rosey the Riveter” years and loved to tell the story of how at one time her shells were transported to Europe on the same ship as General Patton and his troops. He was her hero. She married John Martin in Greensburg in 1941 and they began their life together in Chanute Field, Illinois where he was in flight training in the Army Air Corps. After the war they returned to civilian life in Greensburg, PA. She continued her role as wife, mother and homemaker throughout her life. She was creative and artistic, and always maintained a lovely home and took good care of her children, and was always there for them. As the children went off on their own endeavors, her creative energy found release in may forms of art, sketching, painting, sewing, jewelry making, quilting, ceramics, and pottery. She loved cards and belonged to card clubs made up of their friends; loved bingo and poker. She loved to dress up and go out dining and dancing with other couples. Sarah was an extensive reader with wide interest. She considered herself a seeker, studying many religious teachings. She was a very spiritual person and felt she was gifted with psychic ability. She would relate her experiences to anyone who was interested. She had a great sense of humor, and was a wonderful story teller. She loved animals and always had at least one. Sarah volunteered as teacher’s helper to teach art and reading to children in need of more assistance in school. She was very proud of her Irish heritage. She never tired of telling how her Irish grandmother came to America and found work as cook and laundress in Andrew Carnegie’s sporting resort in Johnston, PA which entertained his wealthy patrons. During the Johnston Flood of 1889, a young engineer rescued Sarah’s grandmother by lifting her into a rowboat as she clung to a statue of the Virgin Mary on the roof of the hotel and moments later the water carried the building away. So began mother’s family. Her stories of their lives and adventures were often repeated, but she never wrote the book! Dad retired and they moved to Rio Rancho. She joined an Extension Club, made many friends with other ladies interested in homemaking, cooking, and arts and crafts. They were members of the Eagles, Elks and Italian-American Club. They enjoyed their camper, road trips and many visits to California. Mom was busy with creative work almost to the end, making lovely Christmas ornaments for her children and their children. Her stubborn streak was well known to family and friends. Her strength and will to go on amazed everyone who knew her these last few months. It must have been God who finally convinced her to let go. She went on peacefully. The years fell from her face and I saw again the smooth beautiful cheek of my young mother, kissed it and said, “I love you,” held her warm hand, and those extraordinary aquamarine eyes gazed back at mine and then seemed to gaze through me to something beyond as she softly passed. She is at peace and we will meet again. Sarah’s care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 2400 Southern Blvd SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (505) 891-9192