Barbara L. Martin

Martin, Barbara L.

Barbara L. Martin, a resident of the Holy Family Residence, Scranton, formerly of Binghamton New York,

died peacefully on April 6, 2015 at Regional Hospital of Scranton after a brief illness. She was the widow of Thomas F. Martin who died in 2005. The couple was married for 47 years. Born September 23, 1934 in Glens Falls, New York, daughter of the late Judge Raymond and Melba Knaus Loughlin, Barbara was a graduate of St. Mary's School, Glens Falls and the College of St. Rose, Albany NY. She worked as an elementary school teacher before raising a family. Barbara relocated to Binghamton in 1964 where she lived for nearly 50 years. She was a member of St. Catherine's Parish where she taught religious education classes for many years. She was also a member of the Sweet Adeline's barbershop chorus and she always enjoyed singing with the group especially when they performed in nursing homes. Before being afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis in 1975, Barbara was a very active person and enjoyed swimming, bike-riding, ice skating, sailing and nightly games of badmitten with her husband. While in college Barbara was in charge of planning the coordinating the May Day parade in Albany, NY. Barbara was a loving and dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her. She was always very supportive and helpful to people even through her disabilities. Barbara's Roman Catholic faith was deeply important to her and she spent many hours in prayer for other people. Surviving are two sons: David, of Scranton (formerly of Binghamton, NY); Andrew and his wife Kristen Nordenholz of Denver, CO; two daughters Catherine Martin-Loew and husband Jerry Loew, of Chelmsford MA; Elizabeth Shaffern and husband Robert, of Scranton; nine grandchildren: Thomas, Monica, Christina and Caroline Shaffern, all of Scranton; Rebecca and Alex Martin of Denver, CO and Donovan, Andrea and Maria Loew of Chelmsford MA. She is also survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Ann Lortie of Glens Falls, NY and Jane Powhida and her husband Greg, of Lancaster, OH; a brother James Loughlin of Watertown MA; a brother-in-law Robert Martin and wife Martha, Lexington MA; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the Little Sisters of the Poor and the staff of the Holy Family Residence for their compassionate and loving care. Barbara felt so at home at the residence and participated in frequent Mass and communion which was a tremendous comfort to her. We would also like to thank the residents and volunteers at Holy Family for the friendship they showed Barbara. Lastly the family would like to thank Dr. Darleen Dunay for the care she gave Barbara over the last three years, and to the nurses and staff at Regional Hospital for their tender care over the last week. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 11 in Holy Family Residence, 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton. Interment will be in the Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Friends may call from 4 to 7 pm on Friday at Holy Family Residence. Arrangements have been entrusted and are under the care of the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc. 1030 N. Main Ave. Scranton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Holy Family Residence 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or the Multiple Sclerosis Society P.O. Box 4527 New York, NY 10163. Please visit the funeral home website for information, directions, or to leave an online condolence.