Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Tracee Martin Obituary
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 Street, New London, CT 06320. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington Street, New London is assisting with the arrangements. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or to share a memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tracee Martin
Sponsored by Byles Memorial Home - New London.
Jonathan Simon
May 3, 2021
Sorry for your loss, she was a staple in the area growing up. I still call the house the eshenfelder house. Your family is in our prayers, peace and love to all of you.
Collette Foote
April 2, 2021
Tracee,
Even as I write this, the tears are streaming down my face. I just can’t believe that you’re gone so soon. I have so much to say. I’m a better person from having worked with you at SMHA. You were a class act. Selfless. Caring. Supportive and Kind. I’m sorry that I’m never going to get to see you again. I pray for the peace and love of God to surround your family and loved ones as they take this journey without you and grieve your loss. You were a great, great person and I’m sorry that you’re gone.
Nancy Reynolds
March 29, 2021
My heartfelt condolences for your loss. I worked with Tracee on the ACT Team at SMHA yrs ago. She was a pleasure to work with.......fun, smart, helpful, caring, & dedicated to our team & clients. She was an exceptional and beautiful women. I know she made a difference in this world.
Ed Demuzzio
March 24, 2021
Matthew could not have made it without YOU! You are a Saint.
Pat Beetham
March 24, 2021
With my deepest sympathies in honor of beautiful Tracee.I used to style Tracees hair and was lucky enough to learn what an amazing woman she is.Her love and pride of her family.The stress of her job, that she just rolled off of her shoulders. I learned alot from her. I loved when she would laugh because she had this twinkle in her eye.Tracee was truely special.
Drew and Aracely Rankin
March 23, 2021
Sending our deepest sympathies and wishing you moments of peace and comfort. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Debra Ackley
March 23, 2021
Dave and Betty,
So very sorry for the loss of your dear daughter, reading through the guest book I know she was special just as her parents raised her! Being an oncology nurse for 20 years I can only imagine how devastating this was.
With deepest sympathy,
Debbie (Boyd) Ackley
Michelle Tatro
March 23, 2021
May you now rest in peace Tracee. I will always remember the birthday celebration in Westerly with Johnny and you. You lit up any room that you walked into and I’m sad to see you go. My deepest condolences to the family.
Jimisah Butler
March 23, 2021
Gonna Miss You!!!!
Tracey Nolan
March 22, 2021
God bless her she will be missed
Nan yousey
March 22, 2021
A true angel on earth! An honor to have known you! RIP my friend!
Acea Cluff
March 22, 2021
Tracee aka T-ray welcomed me as a coworker but we quickly became so much more. Tracee you exuberated a level of class that many woman just do not possess, I learned from you, I laughed with you, I cried with you and I will never be the same without you. I Love you and I will forever have you in my heart. My deepest condolences to the family and to Princess Penny. See you when I get there Tra!!
Donna Milnarik
March 22, 2021
God Bless Tracee may she be a free spirit with her family in Heaven and watching over her family on Earth. Prayers and thoughts .
Kimberly Frenette
March 22, 2021
Tracee was wonderful to work with and very dedicated to her work and her clients. She was a very kind and thoughtful person whom I always admired. My sincerest condolences go out to her family during this very sad time. May she rest in peace with the angels. God bless you all and Penny.
Ann Zuccardy
March 21, 2021
Tracee and I became friends in the last couple years of high school. I spent a lot of time hanging out at her house. Her parents always made me feel like part of the family. I hadn’t seen Tracee in a few decades, but I still remember her laugh and her compassionate manner. My prayers go out to her parents, children and extended family.
Jack & Cindy Luty
March 21, 2021
Dave & Betty,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Tracee, Cindy and I have the fondest of memories of her going way back to her being our babysitter for Dave and Beth. She was a beautiful girl and a beautiful person. A great loss to countless people. There are no words that can speak to the heart ache that you two have endured from losing loved ones through your life. God can work in strange ways that we sometimes can't begin to reason why. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
With Love and Our Deepest Sympathy,
Jack and Cindy Luty
Raul Laureano
March 21, 2021
Tracee!!! Way too young. I’ll always remember your contagious smile. Thank you for good memories.
Paula Oberg
March 21, 2021
Tracee was a good friend to Martin House residents and staff alike. She always went above and beyond in both deed and action. She is already sadly missed.
Louise Lawson (Benoit)
March 21, 2021
My deepest sympathies to you all.
Wendy Kotecki
March 21, 2021
Tracie’s light, smile and warm loving spirit touch so many lives! I was blessed to meet her and work with at at SMHA! She was dedicated to her family, as well as her clients she served! We had some great talks & laughs while driving clients around! She was always lending a hand to someone! She will be truly missed by all!!❤
Pauline Godwin-Mahon
March 21, 2021
See previous entry but with relationship and state overlooked, Ty
Pauline Godwin-Mahon
March 21, 2021
Tracer, I am so sorry you had to endure this. I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to know and work with you. I found comfort in knowing you had supportive people around you who walked through this journey with you. My condolences to all of them. You are loved and will be greatly missed. May you now rest.
Harley is Greiving
Jack Taylor
March 20, 2021
Tracee was a great friend and beautiful woman and a loving mother. Her kids meant everything to her. While I lived in Connecticut there was never a sporting event she missed for her children unless work interfered. She was the most trusting person I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I wish I could have told her how much of an inspiration she was to me, that's why you should never leave anything important unsaid. She will be sadly missed and I know her brother David and daughter Emily welcomed her with open arms and tears. Condolences to John, Emily, Tommy, and Pete also to her Parents Betty and Dave. God Bless and remember she's not gone she's just away.
Eileen Cummings
March 20, 2021
This is a loss that is truly devastating. Tracee touched everything she did with an element of kindness and fun. She dismissed her disease as just an inconvenience but saved all her concern for its impact on those she loved. Tracee was way beyond inspiring and knowing her was one of my life’s truest blessings.
Karen Coburn
March 20, 2021
Tracee, we worked together at Quaker Hill School, and I had your two boys in my fourth grade class. You were fabulous with our QH students, and a great mom. I enjoyed working with you, and i know that you will be sorely missed. I am certain that your daughter was right there to meet you on the other side. I am sending my sympathies to your friends and family you left behind. And for you, I wish nothing but eternal peace.
Michael Charron
March 20, 2021
A few times in life you meet a person, that by far exceeds you expectations of world we live in, Tracee would make you feel special, she would sit down and make you feel like you have known her your whole life. And had a real genuine caring for everyone she met. She just had that Caring and Class that most people lack today. God Bless Tracee and her family and Friends! You were truly one of a kind !
Erich Wilhelm
March 20, 2021
Tracee was well loved. My prayers are with her family.
Tami Sposito
March 20, 2021
So many wonderful memories with Tracee and the kids growing up. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, Tommy, Peter and her entire family...praying that your love and memories can bring you some comfort in this terrible loss.
Love from the Sposito’s
Diane Suarez
March 19, 2021
Your smile, true caring and passion for helping everyone will be sorely missed. God Bless you Tracee
Susan & Jeff Roberts
March 19, 2021
We have beautiful memories of Tracee as a child when we all lived in the Gray Goose Inn. Jeff, Sue, Rene' and Mark.
pat connors
March 19, 2021
When I think of Tracee, I can describe her as a sincerely warm, talented and thoughtful young woman who was devoted to her family and raised four remarkable children. Unfortunately, due to distance and family commitments, I regret not having spent more time with Tracee, but she will be missed whenever I visit New London from Maine. She was a remarkable person. Aunt Pat
Lourdes (Lulu) Riviere
March 19, 2021
May your soul rest in peace dear Tracee !
My thoughts and prayers are to the entire family!
Timothy Brown
March 19, 2021
I first met tracee when she was a police officer at Norwich Hospital. She left work for quite a few years to be with her children. I later worked with her at South East Mental health authority. She was always perky and full of smiles. Such a kind special lady. So thankful I got to know her. Quite the lady.
Donna & Ray Brogan
March 19, 2021
We are truly sorry for your loss, Kendall. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Sincerely, The Brogan Family
Judy Eccleston
March 19, 2021
I have so many memories of growing up with Tracee...she was my best friend all through grammer school and high school. I am at such a loss for words but am comforted that she is no longer in pain. To Dave, Betty, John, her children and their families, her aunts, uncles, cousins... I am so sorry for your loss. She was a light that always shined. I love you Tracee.
Andrea Burgess
March 19, 2021
I didn’t know Tracee but I know her father like family. I’m am certain that Tracee possessed the same beautiful heart and soul. I don’t need to meet her in person to love her forever.
Cheryl Freeburn Burdick
March 19, 2021
I remember you fondly from when I lived in Preston to NFA. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to your family R.I.P. Tracee.
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
Make a Donation
in Tracee Martin's name
Memorial Events
for Tracee Martin
How to support Tracee's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Tracee Martin's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
