Shirley Mae Martin

Born on September 21, 1936, in Barkeyville, PA, to Zella Jacobs and Otis Farren, she was the first of three daughters. She was an accomplished pianist and performed at many school and community functions in the Barkeyville area. She attended Wesley High School through her junior year when it closed and graduated from Victory Joint High School. She attended New Castle Business College.

Following business college, she worked as a secretary near her home town. As the wife of an engineering manager, she moved to many locations including Mount Vernon, OH, Stratford, ON, Canada, Franklin, PA, Newtown, PA, and Allegany, NY before moving to Texas in 1981. While in Allegany, she was a member of the Olean General Hospital Auxiliary and Bartlett Country Club where she was an avid golfer. After moving to El Lago, TX, she re-entered the work force, taking positions at NASA-Johnson Space Center as a secretary and receptionist in the NASA Security Office. She retired in 2007, after more than 25 years at NASA. She enjoyed her interactions with visitors to the Johnson Space Center and the many astronauts and other NASA and political dignitaries over the years. She loved telling her grandchildren about her encounters with the astronauts.

She enjoyed traveling around the world and throughout the United States. While at home, she enjoyed her dogs, Molly and then, Cocoa. Her backyard was a haven for squirrels and wild birds, including nesting owls. She would feed the squirrels peanuts and they would peer into her windows to remind her it was time for treats. Her “perch” on the couch was well positioned so that she could keep an eye on her many feeders and bird bath. She loved gardening and planted shrubs and flowers to be colorful year round. Her greatest joy was her family, visiting with them and keeping up with their various endeavors over the years. She enjoyed keeping up with her friends and relatives through regular telephone calls and correspondence. She was a member of Seabrook (Texas) United Methodist Church and had been a member of the church bell choir.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Patti (Mark) Williams of Hinsdale, NY and Zephyrhills, FL, and sons Barry (Sherril) Martin of El Lago, TX, and Todd (Ellen) Martin of Boerne, TX. She is also survived by grandchildren Sarah (David) Morris, Jack (Katie) Williams, Katherine Williams, Nathan Williams, Ryan Martin, Zachary Martin, Garrett Martin, Travis Martin and five great grandchildren.

A remembrance service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 10:00am at Seabrook United Methodist Church, 3300 Lakeside Drive, Seabrook, TX 77586. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Food Assist program at Seabrook United Methodist Church or a charity the donor’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkEast-FHC.com for the Martin family.