Ellen Reddington Martin

February 27, 2012

Ellen Reddington Martin, 85, of Laurel Street, Minersville, passed away peacefully Monday at Seton Manor, Orwigsburg.

Born on New Street in Norwegian Township, March 13, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin J. and Elizabeth B. Canfield Reddington.

She was a member of the former St. Vincent de Paul Church, Minersville, and a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Minersville.

She was a 1944 graduate and honor student of Pottsville High School.

Ellen worked seven years for Bell Telephone of Pa. from 1950-57. She then worked for 25 years for the former Good Samaritan Hospital as a switch board operator, later becoming the supervising operator. She retired in 1988.

She was a devout Roman Catholic who loved her family and all children.

In her youth, Ellen enjoyed ice skating, dancing and going to the movies.

In her retirement years, she became severely handicapped with rheumatoid arthritis, but she always maintained a positive outlook on everyday life and never complained. She enjoyed watching professional and Olympic ice skating as well as "Dancing with the Stars."

She was a fan of the Notre Dame Football Team and never missed a televised game.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Joseph Martin, in 1969; brothers, James, Thomas, John and the Rev. Benjamin Reddington; sisters, Elizabeth Reddington and Catherine Farrell.

Ellen is survived by her devoted sons, James B., husband of Donna Martin, West West Terrace, William J. Martin and Thomas J. Martin Sr., both of Minersville; sisters, Jean Reddington, Minersville, Rita McCaffrey, Lafayette Hills, Ann DeAngelis, Pottsville, and Frances Margle, Easton; grandsons, Thomas J. Martin Jr. and Matthew J. Martin; a goddaughter, Rita McCaffrey, Philadelphia; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Minersville, with the Rev. Adam C. Sedar officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, and from 7 a.m. Tuesday until the time of service. Interment will be in St. Vincent No. 2 Cemetery. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, is in charge of arrangements.