Claire Elizabeth Martin

Claire Elizabeth Martin

Claire Elizabeth Martin, 84, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2007 of natural causes.

Claire was born September 17, 1923 in Sheridan, Madison, Montana, to Benjamin Phillip Martin and Annie Mae Judge. Claire was raised in Montana. Because her father was a Forest Ranger, Claire spent her summer months with her parents in Wall Creek near Great Falls, Montana. In the winter months, her family would move back to Ennis so Claire could attend school.Claire graduated from Lima High School in 1942. She was a member of the high school band and played the flute. She was also a student body officer. After high school graduation, Claire attended and graduated from Business College and worked as a telegrapher for the UP Railroad.

Claire married Joseph McNeil Martin on August 15, 1946 in Ogden, Utah. Joe and Claire drove the Alcan Highway in a Model T Ford arriving in Anchorage, Alaska in 1947. Joe went to work for the Alaska Railroad as Claire stayed home to raise their family. In 1954 Joe and Claire joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Claire was active in church and served in the Young Women''s program and Relief Society. In 1962, Joe and Claire took their four children to Salt Lake City, Utah to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. Claire loved genealogy and was actively engaged in doing family history work. Claire and Joe purchased a family grocery store in 1960 which Claire successfully ran for 11 years. In 1971, Claire and Joe returned to live in North Ogden, Utah. In 2002, she moved to Layton, Utah. In 2003, Claire was diagnosed with Alzheimer''s disease and moved to Chancellor Garden''s assisted living facility. Due to deteriorating health, Claire was moved to Rocky Mountain Nursing Home in Clearfield, Utah in October 2007 where she resided until her death.

Claire is survived by two daughters, Barbara Ann (Kent) Larsen of Salt Lake City, UT; Mary Louise (Philip) Miner of Layton, Utah; son John Phillip (Brenda) Martin of Anchorage, Alaska, and her sister Josephine Evelyn Stoll of Anchorage, Alaska. In addition, Claire is survived by 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren (a seventh great-grandchild will be born January 2008). Claire''s husband Joseph Martin, daughter Evelyn Faye Buchanan and brother Dan Martin preceded her in death. Claire lived a full active, meaningful life. She loved crossword puzzles, ceramics, and doll making but her greatest love was all of her family. We are grateful to celebrate her life and the legacy that she has left her family.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 at the mortuary. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, Ogden, UT.