Obituary of Barbara Martens

Born: Barbara Martens, July 17, 1917 in Atlantic City, NJ. Died: October 21, 2015 in the St. Clare Community of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Daughter of Henry and Jule Calloway Martens of Pleasantville, NJ. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1934 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1941. For over 81 years, Sister devoted herself to the life and Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Growing up in Pleasantville, NJ she attended grade school at Public School No. 2 and St. Peter's from 1923-31, followed by two years at St. Peter's High School, graduating from Holy Spirit High School in 1933. Sister Barbara became inspired to live a life serving God's people and that same year joined the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Allegany, NY. After entering, her education continued with studies at Medaille College in Buffalo, NY and in later years at St. Elizabeth Teacher's College (now a part of St. Bonaventure University) in Allegany, NY. In 1968, she also completed a summer Inner City Program at St. Peter and Paul in Camden, NJ. During her early years in religious life, Sister Barbara taught the younger grades in numerous schools of the Congregation in New York and New Jersey. Then, beginning in 1946, she accepted re-assignment to what became a series of personally rewarding positions, and included responsibilities as Principal and Superior in several communities of Brazil, South America: Pires do Rio, Catalao and Ceres. After her international assignments ended, she returned to the U.S. to complete her college coursework, earning her B.S. in Education. With strong commitment, Sister resumed her ministry of education in Brazil. In 1968, she was informed of needed coverage at St. John the Baptist in West Islip, NY and for the next 25 years, served consecutively in the roles of Library Aid, Attendance Clerk and Librarian. When the last position ended, Sister Barbara formally retired, but with tender heart, volunteered at St. John's for another year before joining her sisters in retirement at St. Elizabeth Convent in Tampa, FL. In 2010, her sisters at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany warmly welcomed her home. Sister Barbara is predeceased by her parents and sister, Muriel Martens Spina. She is survived by a nephew, Gregory Spina of Naples, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 26, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.