Obituary of Esther Gertrude Martensen

Esther Gertrude Martensen passed away on December 29, 2017 in Mentor, OH.  A lifelong resident of Rye, NY she moved a year ago to Mentor to live with her daughter, Susan.  Born October 17, 1921, the daughter of Lawrence and Josephine Davis.  A graduate of Rye High School Class of 1940.  She married Melvin Martensen on December 5, 1943.  He predeceased her on June 29, 2001. 

She is survived by her daughter Susan A. Martensen, three grandsons: Robert (Renee) Kucharski, Kyle (Melissa) Creasy and Kevin Creasy; four great-grandchildren: Kolton, Katlyn, Kayla and Kevin, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Esther was predeceased by her parents, two daughters: Esther E. Creasy and Dorothy E. Kucharski and one sister: Peggy Sheridan.

A sport enthusiast her entire life, in 1938 she was the youngest member of the Rye Colleens Softball Team.  She batted .469 and the team finished with a 25-5 record, with a trip to the State Tournament in Rochester, NY.  Esther was an avid fisherman and loved boating with her family on Long Island Sound.  She retired from Moxey Insurance Agency serving as the Office Manager.  Esther was a New York State registered Track and Field Official for 10 years, until the age of 90.  She served as the Treasurer and the President of the Rye Seniors Association for many years.  Along with serving on the Rye Colony Board, the Rye Recreation Commission, the Rye Senior Advocacy Committee, and a Voting Poll Inspector.  She received a Citation from the NY State Assembly for her contributions to her community.

The family will receive friends at the Graham Funeral Home on Friday, January 5, from 4 PM to 8 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday January 6 at 10 AM.  Entombment to follow at St. Mary Cemetery.