Obituary

Zelda “Pat” May Martin passed away Sept. 22, 2023. She was born April 21, 1926 in Houghton, South Dakota to Ray and Frona Serena “Fryer” O’Brine. Pat was the 3rd child of a family of 8. The family lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa until she reached the age of 10 years old. In 1936 during the Great Depression Ray, Frona and their 5 children, Nelda, Pat, Lawrence “Bud” Dorene, and Van moved to Ferndale Washington and purchased a 15 acre farm on the Grandview Rd near Frona’s parents who had moved to Ferndale a couple years earlier. Two younger siblings, Collette and Michael were born in Whatcom County. The oldest sibling, Beverly and her family moved to Ferndale in the early 1960’s.

Pat graduated from Ferndale high school with the class of 1944. She enjoyed playing catcher in girls high school softball. After graduation Pat moved to Seattle where she worked for the 13 Naval Dist. as a Stenographer during the remainder of WWII. Pat moved to Los Angeles, Calif. after the war ended and she worked for the Travelers insurance Claims Department.

Eventually Pat moved back home to Ferndale where she met and married former Marine Phyllip John Martin who proceeded her passing in 2009. Pat worked for the Telephone company in Bellingham for a few years after their marriage. Pat and Phil were married for 62 years.

Pat enjoyed Bowling, Golf, and Tennis. She also became enthralled in Genealogy, spending endless hours going through microfiche files at the Bellingham and Seattle libraries. She filled several ring binders of historic documents showing that we had ancestors that were part of the Pilgrims who celebrated the first Thanksgiving that took place in the year 1623 at Plymouth Mass.

Pat gradually learned to enjoy sports-fishing with Phil where they would boat all around the San Juan Islands trolling for the elusive salmon. In 1956 while out boating Pat and Phil found beach front property on Lummi Island that was for sale and they purchased. Over the years Pat and Phil with their two sons, Brian Henry and Wade Allen, enjoyed many summer weekends camping at the beach property gradually improving on the property. Many large family picnic and holiday gatherings took place there. Pat and Phil eventually moved to the beach property as full time residence in 1974.

Pat is survived by her brother Lawrence “Bud” O’Brine, as well as her two sons and their families: Brian and his wife Carol along with their 3 daughters Shara & husband Steve Benner, Krista & husband Brad Jones & Patty and 4 great grandchildren. Wade and his wife Eileen and their 4 children Justin, Danielle & husband Matthew Wolcott, Jennifer & husband Jason Codding and PJ and his wife Shannon along with 8 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Christian Health Care Center in Lynden.

A Celebration of Life for Zelda “Pat” will be held at 2pm on Friday, September 29th at Moles Greenacres chapel in Ferndale, followed by a graveside service and burial.