Margaret (Pat) Roth Martin, 96, of Chelsea, MI, died at The Residence of Arbor Hospice in Saline, MI on April 18, 2020. Pat was born on October 16, 1923 in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Louis L. and Bertha (Jorndt) Roth.
Pat met Robert (Bob) S. Martin during her senior year in high school through the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, where Bob was in her father’s Sunday School class. Pat graduated from DePauw University in 1944 and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Pat and Bob married on August 2, 1944 and had many happy years together.
Bob predeceased Pat in 2008, and her brother, Louis A. Roth, predeceased her in 1996. Four children survive: Nancy M. Podurgiel (Bernard, deceased; Douglas Walker, partner), Sallie M. Foley (Steven), Martha M. Conner (Christopher), and David R. Martin (Nicole). Pat’s beloved sister-in-law, Ann Martin Lambertson, also survives. Pat leaves eleven grandchildren: Rebecca Ramirez (Benjamin), Bernard Podurgiel (Jane Rogers), Debra Wilson (James), Jennifer Rosenberg (Ari), Lauren Foley (Melinda), Jessica Foley (Marcel van der Elst), Robert Foley, Whitaker Martin, Margaret Martin (Sergio Fedasz, partner), Bryce Chapman, Connor Chapman (Gabrielle), and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Pat and Bob lived in many cities (Peoria, IL, Jacksonville, FL, Potomac, MD, and St. Louis, MO) during Bob’s career with Caterpillar Tractor. Pat was active in a variety of organizations, including: Girl Scouts, PTA, singing in the church choir, and Kappa Alpha Theta. From 1976 to 1987 she was an active volunteer for the Children’s Home Society of Missouri, (now Family Forward), an agency protecting children, founded in 1891. She also served on the board and as the first woman president from 1979 to 1987. Pat is credited with developing a strategic plan, expanding the non-profit’s original mission as an adoption agency to include serving the needs of children as they age, while addressing childhood trauma. When Bob retired, they moved to Ann Arbor, MI where they were surrounded by loving children and grandchildren. Pat was a member of Chelsea First United Methodist Church and an associate member of the Church in the Hills (Presbyterian), Bellaire, MI. She remained active in her community throughout retirement, contributing her time to many organizations and church committees. She loved her Bible study, book club, and bridge groups—both in Chelsea and at Torch Lake. Pat’s summers were spent enjoying Torch Lake and continued annually until her passing. She was an active member of the Torch Lake Yacht & Country Club, where she sailed and played tennis. Pat loved music! She was an accomplished pianist, and enjoyed playing the piano for family well into her 90s. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, and bike riding. She played bridge for 77 years.
In 2003, Pat and Bob moved to Silver Maples Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI where she continued serving on many committees, playing bridge, leading and volunteering in dozens of community events, and working jigsaw puzzles. She remained close to her many friends and family members throughout the country. She never missed sending her annual Christmas card letter, and she wrote letters, phoned, and FaceTimed with loved ones until her death. Pat’s family wishes to thank Jane Kelly, whose friendship and kindness enabled Pat to maintain her remarkable independence during her later years.
Memorial donations may be sent to: Chelsea First United Methodist Church (128 Park St., Chelsea, MI 48118), Church in the Hills (PO Box 319, Bellaire, MI 49615), Family Forward, formerly Children’s Home Society of Missouri (1167 Corporate Lake Dr, St Louis, MO 63132), or to Torch Lake Sailing School (PO Box 298, Ellsworth, MI 49729). Private burial, at the convenience of the family, will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire, MI.
Due to the current circumstances, there will not be a Memorial Service at this time. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. Pat’s family invites you to add a condolence message, below (see box under “comments”).
