Katherine Martin

Katherine "Kay" Mary Measel Martin, 101, passed into eternal life on Monday, January 9, 2017 at Fairview Manor Nursing Home. Formerly, she lived on Norman Way, and later resided at Dufford Terrace Apartments for 23 years. Born on March 20, 1915 in South Erie, she was the daughter of John and Grace Measel. Sister or "Sis" as she was known by her family, had two brothers, John and Charles, both deceased. She married Merlon O. Martin in 1938, and for 53 years she faithfully catered to him until his death in 1992. They were childhood friends, both attending Franklin and Academy High Schools. Sis, the lone survivor of the Class of 1932, remained loyal to the Gold and Blue.

Kay felt extremely fortunate to be employed by the Pennsylvania State Employment Office during the Great Depression. While married and raising her children, she re-entered the work force as a typist for the National Fuel Gas Company, retiring after 22 years of service.

She spent her Golden Years volunteering at The Lutheran Home, traveling, playing cards, and keeping her family civil, fed and watered. She was a peacekeeper. She remained loyal to her many card club friends, buried them all, but continued to visit and talk with them as she walked the Erie cemeteries.

Kay was a member of St. John's Lutheran church, and attended in her later years, her adopted congregation, Luther Memorial. She was quiet in her faith, but lived the example of Jesus-selfless and compassionate. It was reassuring for us to be forever on the receiving end of her unconditional love.

She was a life member of the Gridley Chapter #324, Order of the Eastern Star, Zem Zem Shrine Golden Girls, and life member of the Zukor and Siebenburger Clubs. While living at Fairview Manor, she was recognized for her volunteerism in service to fellow residents. Kay was very proud of her German heritage and shared it with her family through expression, music, food and drink. Prost Mutter!

Kay is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Martin Rositer, Erie (fiancé Ed Hokaj); and daughter Kathy Martin Gier (husband Hank) of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Mimi, as she affectionately was called by her grandchildren, is mourned by seven granddaughters: Sharon Rositer McGhee (Mike), Rimersburg; Erin Jacob (Devon) of Mechanicsburg; Shelley Rositer Cimino, Erie; Amy Riggs, Katrina Lewison (Tyler), Gretchen Pedrozo (Rodrigo) all of Kansas; and Heidi Brown (Teal), Asheville, N.C. Mimi also will be missed by her 14 great-grandchildren, Daniel, Holly, Hannah, Benjamin, David, Anthony, Carlo, Patrick, Zoe, Marlena, Elsa, Ida, Oskar and Ingrid love you, Mimi. Further survived by nieces, Jean Jensen, Overland Park, Kansas, Grace Schupp and Barbara Tomlin of Erie.

Katherine's memory is irreplaceable in the hearts of her family. Rest in peace now, Momma. We "dova too!"

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, (at Powell Avenue) on Friday, January 13th, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, January 14th, from 10 a.m. until the time of service there at 11 a.m. with Reverend William Coleman and Reverend Erik Young co-officiating.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 2216 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16502, Luther Memorial Care Ministries, 225 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501 or the Fairview Manor Activity Fund, 900 Manchester Rd, Fairview, PA 16415. Thank you to the entire staff of Fairview Manor for providing a home and care during Kay's final years.