Longtime Rumsonite Patience “Pat” Martin passed away on Sept. 7 surrounded by her five loving children. She was 80.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Pat’s family moved to Rumson at a young age. There, she lived most other life, having spent much time in Manchester, VT, skiing with family. She retired to Vero Beach, FL with her husband, Donal. Pat moved to Rumson, where she lived most of her life.  She spent a fair amount of time in Manchester, VT, skiing with her family and retired to Vero Beach, FL with her husband, Donal. She returned home to Rumson for her final journey, her loved ones said in her obituary.

Having graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School as a valedictorian, Pat attended Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and and studied Shakespeare at Brookdale Community College. 

Pat was a successful business owner and engaged in volunteer work for most of her adult life.  She was proud of her work at the Junior League of Monmouth County which resulted in helping to create The Monmouth Arts Foundation, a 501c3 county arts advocacy organization. She was also involved in a lot of volunteer work for Sandy Hook, the SSYC, Hospice-Vero Beach and as a community ambassador for the Regency.  

Known to treasure time with family and friends more than anything, she loved gatherings bringing all her loved ones together every chance she got. She loved to golf, read, bird-watch, take her children and grandchildren to Broadway plays in NYC, and travel. She also played a smart game of bridge resulting in the Life-Time  Bronze achievement award.  

Pat Martin/obituary

Her genealogy work resulted in tracing her family and husband’s family roots back to the 1600s.  Upon completing her genealogy work, she hosted sizeable multi-day reunions for both sides of the family in Little Silver, NJ. 

Pat was humble, a nurturing caretaker, fair, and an incredible listener.  She faced much adversity with grace, strength and without complaint.  

Pat is predeceased by: her loving husband, Donal J. Martin; her parents, John and Natalie Heermans; her brother, Charles Heermans; her grandson, Donal J. Martin III; and many more relatives and dear friends. 

She is survived by: Julie Gustafson and husband, William, of Manchester, NH; Donal J. Martin Jr. and wife, Gayle, of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Edward J. Martin and wife, Beth, of Long Branch, Lee Pugliese, of Red Bank, and John Martin, of St. Johnsbury, VT; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Katie, Meghan, Nick, Ed, Torrie, Abby, Mike and Natalie; five great-grandchildren, Trey, Lucy, Nora, Molly, Thomas and one due in November; her brother, John Heermans, of Burlington, VT; sister, Holly Smith, of Middletown; and many more friends and relatives.

A memorial gathering will take place at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, on Oct. 5, 2019 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Pat requested that donations be made to Mass General Hospital-Pediatric Stroke Research in honor of one of her great granddaughters. Checks should be made out to MGH-Pediatric Stroke Research and sent to MGH-Office of Development, 125 Nashua Street, Boston, MA, 02114 with a note stating in Memory of Patience Martin.