Betty J. Martin, 95, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Chambersburg Hospital. Born November 11, 1925, she was adopted by John and Mina Eckenrode Martin in 1928. She grew up near Orrstown, PA and for many years lived on Scotland Avenue in Chambersburg.
Betty worked her entire adult life at the Chambersburg Hospital, earning her LPN degree in 1955. She spent her nursing career in the nursery and delivery unit helping many mothers take care of their newborn babies, retiring in 1988.
Betty was a strong and determined independent lady having survived breast cancer for 45 years. While she had no children of her own, she was “Grandma” and cherished by many. Betty was a long time member of Cedar Street Mennonite Church and loved teaching children’s Sunday school and Vacation Bible School classes. She considered her highest joy building trust and relationships with the children of her church community. Betty had a profound influence on several local families in the role of “nanny” for their children, nurturing and mentoring them into adulthood. Betty enjoyed landscape painting and fine needlework. In her later years she spent many enjoyable hours with her friends around her puzzle table.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and step brother, Ambrose Patterson. She is survived and was loved by her entire cousin relatives.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 24, 2020 in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Mike Shank and Rev. Larry Lehman will officiate. Interment will follow in Rowe Mennonite Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance, 344 Leedy Way E., Chambersburg, PA 17202.