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Michele Martin Obituary

July 14, 1958 - July 16, 2022 Michele Martin, L.A. native, artist, and librarian at the Greenwich Library in Connecticut, died of cancer at her home in Cos Cob, CT.
Michele grew up in Silver Lake, the youngest of Sally and Charles Martin's four children. She attended Immaculate Heart High School and earned a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Before moving to Connecticut in 1991, she worked as a fine artist and mother to her two daughters in New York City. For the past ten years she made Cos Cob her home.
The regulars at the library knew Michele's infectious (and loud) laughter and valued her kindness. She worked at the library for 22 years, in the process earning a Master's in Library Science from the Pratt Institute in New York. For the last five years, she was the Peterson Business Librarian, organizing lectures, creating programs for jobseekers, investors, and writers, and working with MOMA and the Greenwich Astronomical Society to design art- and science-related programming. Her never-ending curiosity and fascination with humanity fostered her successful midlife career.
Most of all, Michele enjoyed being with her daughters and their young families. She often visited her two grandsons, Jasper and Otto, in Berlin, Germany, and studied German in between visits. She also recently welcomed her first granddaughter, Sunny, and loved visiting her at the beach in Rockaway.
Michele was an accomplished artist whose breadth of work flowed seamlessly over the years from drawing to painting, collage work to silk-screening to, most recently, Navajo weaving. She was an artistic pioneer in many ways, including recognizing the art scene in Marfa, TX, where she bought a house in the '90s, and through the Stamford Loft Artists Assoc., where she held studio space. Her exuberant enthusiasm for art, music, design, books, playing tennis, and, most of all, her family and friends will leave a lasting impact.
Michele leaves behind her beloved daughters, Katherine Kordaris (Robert Carnevale) and Eloise Kordaris (Mischa Bitten); grandchildren Jasper George Bitten, Otto Michele Bitten, and Sunny Martin Carnevale; ex-husband and dear friend George Kordaris; sisters Laura (Paul) Ricks and Stephanie Helper; brother Greg (Cathy) Martin; and four nieces, three nephews, and one grandnephew. Her constant companion for the last 12 years, her cat Persephone, is also carrying on her memory.
Michele's final days were spent exactly as she wished: at home, with grace and acceptance, surrounded by her many loved ones-especially her daughters, grandchildren, and cat.
A funeral was held on July 22, with an L.A. memorial in the fall. In her memory, please consider donating to Connecticut Food Share.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jul. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Michele Martin

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Patricia Leger

December 30, 2023

My sister, Jackie, was a cherished friend of Michele. Jackie was unable to get through this Christmas holiday without speaking about all of the traditions that she and Michele would share during Christmas. She spoke about the ritual they shared of having dinner at a restaurant on Greenwich Avenue prior to Christmas and sometimes on Christmas eve. She spoke about how Michele was one of her best friends and how much she missed Michele. Jackie spoke about how lonely life was without Michele in her life. I knew Michele through Jackie. My prayers go out to Eloise and Catherine and their extended families during this holiday season. Michele was an absolutely wonderful woman and she will always be missed. God bless you and your family!

John E.

July 14, 2023

Happy Birthday, I know we share one. You are missed

Elizabeth (Whitely) Fischer

December 21, 2022

Michele! I haven't seen her in many decades but have such great memories of time with her; her mother, Sally; and our friend, Becky. We usually had tears running down our cheeks from laughing so hard. She went on to live a beautiful life, but way too short. Great sympathy to her friends and family.

Emily

November 5, 2022

You were a lovely lady you helped me with my resume.

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

The Zaphiratos Family

Sent Flowers

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Astronomical Soc. of Greenwich

Planted Trees

Peter

July 21, 2022

Michele, Her smile was contagious, she lit up the library with such
enthusiasm spreading the joy of her knowledge and always reaching out. A real loss to the community and Greenwich Library.

Denise Minnerly

July 21, 2022

I knew Michelle during her Ct. years raising her beautiful daughters and making art. I will always remember her positivity, creative spirit and incredibly infectious smile. Condolences to the family.

Bob Glenn

July 20, 2022

I last saw Michelle 30 years ago and remember the time I spent with her with absolute clarity. She was such a presence, utterly individual always and warm as can be. A lovely,funny, person who nevertheless was a formidable woman. Very very sad to just have the memories of her.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Ken Hecht

Planted Trees

Maria Carey

July 20, 2022

Michele was the loveliest person who had a quick, hearty, lively and infectious laugh. She was always smiling. That´s what I will remember most.

Patricia Leger

July 20, 2022

Michele was such a lovely, gracious, intelligent and charismatic friend to my sister, Jackie, and me. Her conversation was always fascinating and her knowledge was so detailed and delightful. Michele will always be remembered as the brightest smile in any room she entered. There can be no words to describe the pain of losing her at such a young age. My condolences and sympathy to her young and vibrant family. Michele was very dear and cherished. Her precious memory will be remembered forever. My deepest sympathies to all who shared her life and her love.

Leslie and Kevin Lally

July 19, 2022

Michele was a force to be reckoned with! Her long friendship with my dear sister Mary (going back to Chicago when Michele was a student at The Art institute). Michele was a hoot, a precious friend, and will forever remain a sister to Mary, myself and my sisters Molly and Amy. Rest In Peace, beautiful dear friend

Al Brecken

July 19, 2022

She was such a lovely woman, always active and creative; I well remember when Michelle hosted "An evening for singles" at the Cole Auditorium. It was a "full house" and attendees enjoyed wine and cheese in the courtyard. A true measure of Michelle's abilities.

Single Memorial Tree

Jeffrey Jackson

Planted Trees

Earth & Sky Memorial

Katia Kuethe

Sent Flowers

John

July 18, 2022

She was a sweet woman , she will be missed

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

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Memorial Events
for Michele Martin

Jul

22

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Catherine of Siena

Riverside, CT

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