KNOX — Elaine Martin was a devoted and compassionate nurse and spent more than 40 years using her education to care for family and friends.She died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. She was 65.
Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Barbara Pollock. She graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School in 1966 and soon after became a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Most recently, Mrs. Martin worked for Altamont Internal Medicine, and as a home-care nurse. She was president of the Altamont Rescue Squad where she had volunteered for 21 years.
Robert Trottier, an emergency medical technician with the squad since 1991, said Mrs. Martin was an outgoing, diligent, and “community-oriented” president who was often willing to cover others’ shifts. She organized open houses and banquets, handed out candy to trick-or-treaters, and participated in a show-and-tell with the ambulance for elementary-school children.
“A lot of people like to do the EMS work, but she was always willing to go above and beyond and help in the running of the organization, whether it was as a president or a board member,” said Mr. Trottier on Wednesday. On the board, he said, she was good at “mediating between disagreements.”
Mrs. Martin loved the beaches in York Beach, Maine, and gardening flowers in the yard. For the past 40 years, she participated in many bowling leagues and most recently was in leagues with her sons at Town and Country. She was also fond of her dog, Kasey.
“Above all,” her family wrote in a tribute, “she enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren.”
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Mrs. Martin is survived by her three sons, George Martin Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, Chad Martin and his wife, Stacey, and Scott Martin and his wife, Mary Carrillo; her nine grandchildren, Zachary, Tyler, Zachary Lonergan, Ryan, Noah, Hailey, Nathan, Lillian, and Alea; her brother, Charles Pollock II and his wife, Vickie; and special friends, Barbara Henderson and Noel Hatley.
Her husband of 40 years, George Martin Sr., died before her.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont, followed by an interment in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Guilderland. Family and friends may call today, Dec. 27, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 2025 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.
— Marcello Iaia