Frances O. Martin, A Newburgh Resident, Dies at 89

Frances O. Martin, of the Town of Newburgh, a retired long-time Medical Office Manager for area physician offices, entered into rest on Friday, September 30, 2016. She was 89.

Daughter of the late Maurice and Katherine (Fay) O’Bryan, she was born January 6, 1927 in East Kingston, NY. On May 9, 1948 she married William F. Martin Jr. in St. Mary’s Church, Poughkeepsie, NY. William predeceased Frances on February 25, 2000.

Frances was a long-standing parishioner of the Church of St. Mary, Newburgh, including a founding member of the St. Mary Seniors as well as a member of the St. Mary Seniors Advisory Board.

Frances Martin was the most kind and loving person you would ever meet. She always put others first, thinking of what they needed before herself, even during times she needed assistance. Our Mother was fiercely independent, choosing to do things herself rather than ask others to do for her; this gave our Mom a sense of joy, knowing that she accomplished things on her own. Mom drove until very recently, including a Toyota Solara sports car, and a Honda Accord sedan. It meant a lot for her to be able to go where she needed, when she needed. This independence stems from living during times when you had to be self-reliant. After high school, Mom attended Wood’s School of Business in Manhattan, learning various aspects of business operations. After graduation, she went to work at Scripps-Howard Newspapers in New York City, in their internal department supporting the company’s global operations. She later worked in administration of the payroll department at Central Hudson in Poughkeepsie, NY. She put her career on hold when she started a family, raising four loving children, and instilling us with values and ideals that guide us to this day. When her children went to school, she went back to work, managing the medical practices of several doctors in the Newburgh area, including more than twenty-five years managing the offices of Dr. Rients van der Woude, a leading surgeon in the region. She also managed the Gidney Avenue Realty Company, managing operations for properties at the Medical Arts Building in Newburgh. During her entire career, she always made her family her priority. They were her first love, from her husband of more than fifty years, to four children, then ten grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She gladly spent time with each new child as they started life, and as they grew, embracing them with her loving spirit. Mom recently celebrated an early 90th Birthday party, at which thirty family members joined in celebration of her life, and to share the love which she always gave so freely. We miss our Mom dearly, but will carry her with us each and every day.

Frances leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Laura Fraher and her husband, Michael of the Town of Newburgh, Kathryn Bajus and her husband, Stephen of Villanova, PA and William F. Martin III of Newburgh; 10 grandchildren, Stephanie and Dan Almasi, Emily and Terry Schiff and Elizabeth and Dan Spear, Kate and Matthew Fraher, Amy and her husband, Aaron Limoges, Danielle and Dave Mercurio, Kenyon and Hilary Bajus, Lauren and Justin Henry and Trevor and Glori Bajus; 10 great-grandchildren, a sister, Nan Ainsworth of Fishkill, NY and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Frances was predeceased by her daughter, Maureen Howell, and her sisters, Othelia Bondur and Catherine Lyons.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 pm on Thursday, October 6 at Our Lady of the Lake Chapel, 433 S. Plank Road, Newburgh, with burial following in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Frances’ memory may be made to Salesian Missions, 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710.