Obituary for Carolyn J. Martin
Carolyn J. Martin, 70, of Millersville, died Saturday, August 31, 2019. She was the loving wife of James I. Martin for 51 years. Born in 1949, she was the daughter of Irene (Martin) Sauder of New Holland and the late Leroy H. Sauder. Carolyn was a mother, mail carrier, waitress, greenhouse grower, cabinet maker and EMT volunteer.
She was an active member of Victory Church where she dedicated her artistic talent and enthusiasm to kids’ ministry. For the past seven years, Carolyn supported Hope Family Home in India, including five life-changing visits to India. Carolyn lived the truth that one person can make a difference.
Carolyn’s passion for nature and vast knowledge about plants and insects was fully expressed when she was sharing it with others. She raised thousands of monarch butterflies and shared the process in schools, nursing homes and her community. Blue bird houses were made to be opened so family and friends could see each stage of the process.
Many of you will remember Carolyn for her gardens and flowers. Often, when leaving the house, there was a flurry of activity as she “quickly” ran out and cut some flowers to make an arrangement for a lucky recipient. Carolyn was an artist who excelled in any creative endeavor she tackled, with an unusual breadth in artistic media.
Carolyn loved tiny things including babies, flowers caterpillars and fairy gardens. Her lucky grandchildren were given spots in her gardens and boxes of tiny, intricate things to build their own fairy wonderlands.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by four children: Renita Leong (Chris), Lititz, Andre Martin (Angela), Lancaster, Dana Kumar (Pradeep), Millersville, Tanya Martin Nisly (Kevin), Arlington, KS: eight grandchildren, and three siblings: Leonard Sauder (Rhoda), Bridgewater, VA, Gerald L. Sauder (Julia), Ronks, Gwendolyn Abbs (John “Jack”), Gap.
Carolyn’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Victory Church, 827 Freedom Rd, Lancaster with Vinnie DePaul officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn’s name may be sent to Hope Family Home, care of HOME International, 755 White Oak Rd, Denver PA 17517.
She was an active member of Victory Church where she dedicated her artistic talent and enthusiasm to kids’ ministry. For the past seven years, Carolyn supported Hope Family Home in India, including five life-changing visits to India. Carolyn lived the truth that one person can make a difference.
Carolyn’s passion for nature and vast knowledge about plants and insects was fully expressed when she was sharing it with others. She raised thousands of monarch butterflies and shared the process in schools, nursing homes and her community. Blue bird houses were made to be opened so family and friends could see each stage of the process.
Many of you will remember Carolyn for her gardens and flowers. Often, when leaving the house, there was a flurry of activity as she “quickly” ran out and cut some flowers to make an arrangement for a lucky recipient. Carolyn was an artist who excelled in any creative endeavor she tackled, with an unusual breadth in artistic media.
Carolyn loved tiny things including babies, flowers caterpillars and fairy gardens. Her lucky grandchildren were given spots in her gardens and boxes of tiny, intricate things to build their own fairy wonderlands.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by four children: Renita Leong (Chris), Lititz, Andre Martin (Angela), Lancaster, Dana Kumar (Pradeep), Millersville, Tanya Martin Nisly (Kevin), Arlington, KS: eight grandchildren, and three siblings: Leonard Sauder (Rhoda), Bridgewater, VA, Gerald L. Sauder (Julia), Ronks, Gwendolyn Abbs (John “Jack”), Gap.
Carolyn’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Victory Church, 827 Freedom Rd, Lancaster with Vinnie DePaul officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn’s name may be sent to Hope Family Home, care of HOME International, 755 White Oak Rd, Denver PA 17517.