Kathryn Modene Martin's Obituary
Kathryn Modene Martin (Bartlett) was born in Clayton, New Mexico on May 20, 1932. She was the first girl to be born to Anna and William Bartlett, after 3 boys. In 1944, her family relocated to Toppenish, Washington. She grew up in a house full of siblings, ultimately 16 brothers and sisters.Kathryn left home at 17 to marry her knight in shining armor, Denny. The two had met only 2 months prior, but she knew a good catch when she saw one. At her mother’s disapproval, the two went to Idaho, where they were married on September 5, 1949. Kathryn was a devoted wife and homemaker, and on January 5, 1953, she added mother to her many titles when Vicky Sue came in to the world. The family lived in Millbrae, and eventually moved to Fremont in 1964. On March 31, 1967, this family was blessed with the arrival of their second daughter, Kelly Michelle. Life was blissful with Denny working for Pacific Bell and Kathryn raising their beautiful girls.Kathryn and Denny enjoyed spending time with family, especially her brother Ralph, and his wife, Marjorie, who lived nearby. The foursome bowled league at Cloverleaf Bowl together for many years, also joined by Mateo Mariano. They also enjoyed Bowl for Silver quite often on Sunday nights.Kathryn welcomed her first grandchild, Victoria, in 1973. She was born to Vicky and her loving husband Jim. Vicky and Jim blessed her with two more grandchildren: James in 1979, and Mandy in 1981. In 1986, Kelly made Kathryn a grandmother to her precious son, Brandon. Kelly had two more children, Christopher in 1988, and Brittany in 1991, who were adored by Kathryn. By the time of her passing, Kathryn had also added 8 great grandchildren (Megan, Joshua, Taylor, Phynix, Aaron, Brayden, Ryan, and Keira) and one great great granddaughter, Kyla, to her family tree. The spouses of her children and grandchildren (Jim, Richie, Ian, Jessica, and Forrest) were also among those who adored this amazing woman.Kathryn’s life wasn’t without struggle, but she persevered like a true warrior. A stroke in 1987 left her without the use of the right side of her body. Then, losing her soul mate in 1995, and her precious daughter Vicky in 2012, forced her to display a strength that she didn’t know she had. Though her body failed her, her mind was sharp, and her wit was quick. Nothing could keep her from watching her favorite baseball team, the Giants, on tv. Madison Bumgarner was her personal favorite, and just a mention of him would bring a smile to her face. She also was known to watch her daily soaps, especially Days of Our Lives, which she watched for over 50 years.Kathryn is now reunited with those who went before her: her mom, Anna and her dad, William, her sisters, Gwen and Nancy, her brothers, Bill, Jack, Ralph, Gerald, Clifford, Bobby, her cherished daughter, Vicky, and her handsome prince, Denny. Those left behind will miss her dearly and await the day that we will reunite with her in our eternal home.
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