Martin, Phyllis Jane

Phyllis Martin passed away in Tempe, AZ on October 19. She was born Phyllis Jane Norton in Gilman, VT, in 1932. Her father, Jotham Norton, was a Methodist minister and her mother Gertrude was an elementary school teacher. Phyllis spent the war years in Fair Haven, VT and graduated from high school in Long Lake, NY as Valedictorian. After a semester at the Plattsburgh State Teacher’s College, she opted for employment at General Electric in Schenectady, NY. There she met Richard Martin and they married in November 1951, beginning family life in Omaha, NE, where he was employed with Fairmont Foods. Phyllis was a stay-at-home mom, raising four children in Omaha and in subsequent residences in Berwyn, PA; Littleton, CO; and Scottsdale, AZ. She returned to college at Scottsdale Community College, earning her associate’s degree in English in 1979. Phyllis and Richard enjoyed time spent traveling around the country visiting friends and relatives. After retirement, they took an extended trip to Kenya, Egypt, and Rome in 1985, and to France in 1994. An avid bridge player, she organized bridge groups throughout her adult life. Phyllis is survived her sister Betty Carey (John), and children Richard Jr. (Donna), Pamela (Patrick), Wendi, and Thomas, as well as seven grandchildren and several greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Richard. She will be sorely missed by her family. A private service and burial will be on October 26.