Tracee Martin
Quaker Hill — Tracee Lynn Martin, 58, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at home surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Tracee was born Nov. 11, 1962, to David and Betty (Kendall) Martin of Preston. Tracee was a graduate of Norwich Free Academy. Tracee began her career as a police officer at Norwich State Hospital, before leaving to raise her four children and helping at the family business, Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock. Tracee was employed by Waterford Public Schools as a paraeducator, eventually leaving to return to work for the State of Connecticut, as a case manager at Southeastern Mental Health Authority. Tracee worked on several different teams while at SMHA and was the glue that held the team together, often going the extra mile to assist her clients and coworkers. Even after she left her position, her clients still reached out to her through cards and letters to see how she was. True to her character, even on holidays you would find her working and passing out meals to those in need.
Tracee’s children were her pride and joy, and she could always be found with a minivan full of kids and hockey gear. When Tracee wasn’t busy attending one of her children’s sporting events, she devoted her time to traveling the country with her kids and her parents in their RV. Tracee loved spending time with family and friends, her home was an open door for all. Tracee enjoyed spending her summer days at Pequot Beach in New London, and enjoying a cold glass of sauvignon blanc with her girlfriends following the Connecticut wine trail. Tracee loved her dog Penny, taking her everywhere she went and always making sure Penny was dressed in the most stylish outfits.
She will be greatly missed by her parents David and Betty Martin; her children, Kendall Fenton and son-in-law Scott; Thomas Eshenfelder and Emily Vanstaen, Peter Eshenfelder and daughter-in-law Sydney; her partner John Palladino; and his children, Jessica Palladino and daughter-in-law Alison, Johnny Palladino; and her former husband Thomas E. Eshenfelder; many relatives and friends, and of course by her beloved chihuahua, Penny.
Tracee was welcomed into Heaven by her daughter Emily Eshenfelder; and brother David Martin.
A celebration of her life will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Langley’s Restaurant in Waterford. Burial services were private and held in Preston.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Emily Eshenfelder Foundation, 80 Hamilton St. New London, CT 06320. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting with the arrangements. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or to share a memory.