Hamlin--- Antoinette "Toni" Martin, 89, died peacefully, Saturday, November 25, 2017, at a Van Buren healthcare facility. She was born March 3, 1928 in Eagle Lake, a daughter of the late Frank and Edwidge (Raymond) Martin, Jr.
After attending Eagle Lake schools, Toni attended Madawaska Training School, graduating in 1949. She was a devoted teacher and taught at several schools and received her 4-year teaching degree from University of Maine - Fort Kent. She taught over 30 years at Van Buren schools, before her retirement in 1987. She was parishioner of St. Joseph Church, Hamlin and was a former member of the parish choir. She enjoyed gardening, foraging for berries, canning, quilting, and loved to share her bounty with family and friends. Toni loved the arts and was a painter and a pianist, and she loved to help raise her two grandchildren.
She is survived by: two children, Glenn Martin and his wife Lola of Hamlin, and Mary Beth Sponcel and her husband Scott of Wasilla, AK; two brothers, Paul Martin and his wife Rita and John Martin, all of Eagle Lake; two grandchildren, Rebecca & Jake; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Rudolph O. Martin in 2014, five brothers, Fernando, Cecil, Camille, Micheal, and Lucien, and one sister, Loretta Smith.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hamlin. Relatives and friends may greet the family Tuesday 6-8:00 PM and Wednesday morning 9-10:15 AM at Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. Spring interment will be in the parish cemetery.
