Ann C. Martin

Ann C. Martin, 75, cherished wife, extraordinary Mom, Grandma, aunt, sister and friend, passed away at her home on Saturday, June 3, 2017 surrounded by her loving husband and children. Ann’s amazing thoughtfulness, constant generosity, sense of humor and fighting spirit touched the lives of all who knew her and grew from her. What we will miss most about her was her enormous heart. Ann’s passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of those she leaves behind, as she now embraces her beloved son Kevin: her husband Michael Martin of Wethersfield, their children Michael and Joanne Martin of South Windsor, Eddie and Kelly Martin of Kensington, Maryland, Kathleen and Mike Dunn of Wethersfield, Danny Martin of West Hartford, and her daughter-in-law, Jen and Dan O’Connor of Wethersfield. Her spirit lives and loves on in her many grandchildren she loved so completely: Grace, Megan and Erin Martin, Emily, Kevin, Kaitlan and Elizabeth Martin, Fiona, Michael, Sean and Mary Dunn, and Patrick and Brendan Martin, as well as Callie O’Connor. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth (Honey) Maguder of Virginia, her sister, Kathy and brother-in-law Rich Rowan of Cape Cod and her brother, E.J. and sister-in-law Patty Moran of New Jersey, her sister-in law, Peggy List of Pearl River, brother and sister-in-law, Patrick and Donna Martin of Colorado, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews who loved her dearly. Ann is predeceased by her parents, Ed and Rita Moran, her sister, Nikki Vecchio, her sister-in-law, Theresa Tietjen, her niece, Mary Tietjen and her brothers-in-law, Jack Martin, Eddie Martin, Herman List and Ted Maguder. The oldest of five children born and raised in Woodside, Queens, Ann shared her room with her sisters, and at times, with her grandmother. Having never even tried on skis, she went on a church skiing trip where she met a charming fellow non-skier named Michael Martin from the Bronx, who soon became the love of her life. For the next 50 years, Ann and Mike built a family around love, laughter and hospitality. From the Bronx, to Larchmont, and finally to Wethersfield, Ann was a master of the ordinary miracle: the way her enormous bowls of spaghetti and meatballs never seemed to run out, the way she made so many people feel special by never forgetting to send a birthday card, the way two people became more than two dozen raised in the strong values of family, faith and generosity shared around her kitchen table. Above all else, Ann embraced her true calling as a mother with great joy and love. Patiently raising five children, she found time to give countless hours as a volunteer, whether leading the Blue Birds or Boy Scouts, serving on the Youth Advisory Board, becoming a favorite CCD teacher, helping with the PTO or chairing the high school Safe Grad parties for years in a row. Whether set-dancing with Michael and their friends at the Irish club, hosting holidays and family parties, or traveling, Ann was the same Ann everywhere that she was at her own kitchen table, and everyone she met was touched by her unique gift to make them feel like they were sitting with her over a cup of tea.

Ann’s happiest times were with her kids and grandkids, taking care of the little ones, playing checkers and cards as they grew, attending their games and concerts, and telling tales that grew taller with the passing years. A world-class telephone talker, Ann had a unique gift of following her opening “Hello, Love…” with a seemingly wide array of topics before somehow tying them all together by the time she said “Goodbye, Love.” Famous for her chocolate cross cakes at Baptisms and First Holy Communions, Ann did God’s work as much as her namesake Saint Ann, and, as the quintessential Mom, she had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, often stressing that Mary doesn’t get quite enough credit (she is likely discussing that point with the Lord as we speak). A consummate survivor through discomfort and pain, Ann’s fierce love and fighting spirit shone from her until the end. The Martin family extends their deep gratitude to the many friends and family who have kept Ann in their thoughts and prayers through her illness, as well as to her caregivers from Hartford Hospital, Avery Heights and Hospice.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday (June 7) from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, and at a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday (June 8) at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Richard M. Keane Foundation, P.O. Box 290742, Wethersfield, CT 06129-0742. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.