Kathy Martin

Kathy Martin passed away comfortably at her Kennebunk home on Sept. 18, 2024. Her family and neighborhood friends kept her company during her last days. They recalled many fond memories with both tears and laughter as they celebrated her remarkable life.

Kathy was part of a large family. She was born on July 20, 1949, unaware that she would someday be sharing her birthday with the first moonwalk. Her parents, Jack and Connie Jessup, gave her three brothers, Brian, Tim, and Jeff, and a little sister, Marylou. The family shared many good times at their homes in Niagara Falls, Red Oaks Mill, and Hyde Park, all in New York state.

On a fateful day in 1967, Kathy talked to her future husband, John, for the first time during a graphic design class at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Two years later, they were married at Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park.

While John was fulfilling his duty to the United States Army, they lived in Frankfurt, Germany, where their first child, John, Jr. was born. Upon returning to the U.S., they had a second son, Jamie, and lived on Taylor Avenue in Poughkeepsie. Soon, they moved to Oswego, New York, where their third son, Jason, was born. In 1983, they moved back to Poughkeepsie.

Over time, Kathy’s family grew to include daughters-in-law Theresa, Melissa, and Suzanne. She was also extremely proud of her two grandchildren, Anna and Duncan. They provided her with many happy memories during their summer visits to Maine. Spending time with them at the beach was at the top of her wish list.

Throughout her life, Kathy was interested in many things and had a number of different jobs. After college, she worked for a short time in a graphic design studio. While raising her three children, she enjoyed arts and crafts and sold her creations at several craft fairs. She also taught private piano lessons in her home.

After her children were grown, Kathy’s focus shifted to health and fitness, and she became a step aerobics instructor, eventually opening her own studio. After supporting her three children through college, she returned to school herself and earned a PTA degree at Orange County Community College in Middletown, New York. She worked as a physical therapy assistant until she and John retired to Maine in 2009.

Kathy enjoyed exploring the coast of Maine and spending time at the beach. She also loved musical theater and going to shows at the Ogunquit Playhouse and Merrill Auditorium. In recent years, she returned to playing the piano and learned to play songs from her favorite shows. When her family and friends visited her and John in Maine, she liked to take them out for ice cream.

Perhaps her favorite thing in the world was getting her hair and nails done. She always liked to look her best. More than anything, when Kathy became ill, she wanted to focus on the good times and celebrate her life. Even though she forgot to use sunscreen and burned her legs, she was so happy to spend a recent day at the beach with her husband and sister. Her family would like to share that joy with everyone who knew her. They will be inviting Kathy’s family and friends to a Celebration of Life at a Maine beach this coming spring.