Catherine J Martin

Portland, ME

Catherine Joyce Martin , 83, of Portland - Catherine Joyce Martin , 83, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2017, with her loving family by her side at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, following a brief illness.

Joyce remained characteristically strong throughout her illness, never complaining and always quick with a joke that was sure to make everyone laugh. Her last hours were filled with the comfort from her family’s presence and a special visit from Olivia, her grandson’s Shih Tzu, which brought her great joy to play with and sneak treats to.

Joyce was born in Portland on August 27, 1933, daughter of Charles W. and Margaret S. Upham. She graduated from Portland High School in 1951, a fact that her four children, Deering High Graduates, were reminded of every Thanksgiving Day or when a Portland sports team beat a Deering team.

Joyce was employed by E. Corey & Co. and Brockway Smith in her earlier years. She later married a serviceman from Fort Williams and they were stationed in Limestone, ME, San Antonio, TX, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Devens, MA, before retiring to Portland. She was a longtime employee at Bradlees Department store retiring after 27 years when they closed, allowing her to enjoy more time with her children and grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Margaret , along with two brothers, Arthur and Joseph. She is survived by her sister Margaret (Sita) Ladd, her brother Andrew Upham, and his wife Maureen and their son Kevin. She is survived by her four children Catherine Martin of Portland, Anthony Martin and his wife Judith of Windham, Robert Martin of Windham and Andrew Martin of Old Orchard Beach. She is also survived by her three grandchildren Brian Martin and his wife Tasha Martin (Douglass) of Portland, Sarah Martin of South Portland and Benjamin Martin of Windham. Family pets Olivia, Zoey, Winston and Gem, Maggie, Kitty, Munchkin, Pierre, Pudgy and Bootsy gave her great entertainment over the years.

She was always a role model for her children and grandchildren. She was selfless, the type of person who sacrificed her own pleasure for her family. She was strong, independent, hardworking, and responsible for instilling in them a strong work ethic and the sense that you work hard for what you want. She was stoic and never complained always believing there was someone else more in need than she was.

Following her death each of her children and grandchildren enjoyed one of her favorite treats, an ice cream cone, in honor of her memory. Because in her words “I always have room for ice cream.”

The family would like to give special thanks to Cheryl, Anne Marie and Tricia of the VNA Home Health Hospice for the assistance and support they provided over the last year allowing Joyce to remain in her home that she loved. They would also like to thank the healthcare providers at the Maine Medical Center and Gosnell Hospice for making her last few days as comfortable as possible.

The family would like to invite you to share your condolences at visitation on Tuesday June 13th from 4:00 – 7:00pm at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland 207-775-3763. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday June 14th at 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stevens Ave, Portland followed by a committal service at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

You may share your stories and offer condolence at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA, Gosnell Hospice, Meals on Wheels or the Animal Refuge League.