Patricia (Pat) Martin, a long-time Mercer Island resident, passed away on July 30, 2022, at 93. Pat will be remembered as an intelligent and elegant presence with a calm, can-do attitude, and a love of culture and travel.

Pat spent her childhood in northern Indiana and became a proficient problem-solver as the eldest child on the family farm. She was an active 4H member and high school valedictorian. She received a B.S. in Dietetics from Purdue University in 1951, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and met her future husband, Reese Martin.

Reese’s career in the Air Force allowed the family to travel extensively. Their three years stationed in Munich in the 1960s was a highlight, where Pat regularly packed their three young children in the van to explore Europe, preferring byways to highways and small family-run establishments.

The couple settled on Mercer Island after Reese’s retirement in 1973 and devoted their time to raising the children, community engagement, and traveling. Among Pat’s volunteer activities are Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, Mercer Island Women’s Club, and over two decades in diabetic research at Pacific Medical Center and the University of Washington. After Reese died in 1995, Pat explored the world solo, with memorable trips to Turkey, Russia, and China.

Pat’s interest in culture extended to the home. She enjoyed fashion and tailored many of her clothes herself, delighted in learning to cook the global cuisine she encountered during her travels, and surrounded herself with art. Pat joined the Covenant Living community at the Shores in 2005, where she resided until her death.

Pat is survived by her daughter Patreese of Seattle, son John of San Diego, daughter-in-law Patricia, son-in-law Josh, and grandchildren Sullivan and Makenna. In addition to Reese, Pat is pre-deceased by a son and a granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be held at Fellowship Hall on the campus of Covenant Living at the Shores on Mercer Island, WA, at 2 PM on August 19. Memorial gifts may be made to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services or a charity of your choice.