Claire Ann Martin, 82, of Nashua, beloved wife of Bernard “Ben” Martin, passed away on Monday afternoon, February 9, 2015 at the Wingate at Belvidere in Lowell, MA surrounded by her best ones.
A resident of Nashua since August of 1965, Mrs. Martin was born in North Smithfield, Rhode Island on January 7, 1933, a daughter of the late Theodore and Dorea (Plante) Tardie. Claire was a graduate of St. Clare High School in Woonsocket, RI Class of 1950 and furthered her education at Cambridge City Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1953. She later attended New England College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1981 and her Master’s degree in education in 1984.
Claire worked for many years as a Certified Occupational Health Nurse. She was employed at Kollsman Instruments, Digital Equipment Corporation, US Postal Service, St. Joseph Hospital, Easter Seals and Hadco.
Mrs. Martin was an active member of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. She served as the recording Secretary of the Northeast Region and Board Member of the New Hampshire Chapter. She tremendously enjoyed public speaking and not only a member of Toastmasters but was a Past President and served on the Executive Board from 1984-1991. She was a member of the Rivier Institute for Senior Education (RISE); and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Girls Club of Greater Nashua. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society. Mrs. Martin was a communicant of St. Christopher Church. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Members of her family include her husband Ben, whom she married in Woonsocket, RI on April 24, 1954 and shared 60 wonderful years together; six children, Beverly Martin of Jaffrey, Robert Martin of Shirley, MA, Joanne Balduf and her husband Carl of Plainville, MA, John Martin of Melbourne, Australia, Kathleen “Katie” Martin of Nashua and Kristen Dors and her husband Eric of Los
Almos, NM; five grandchildren, Eric and Olivia Balduf, Tim Martin, Kevin and Brian Dors; three brothers, Joseph, Theodore and Robert Tardie all of California; many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Claire was predeceased by a sister, Violet Bradley and a brother, Gerard Tardie.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Monday February 16th from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher Church, 62 Manchester Street, Nashua on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. Interment will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in her memory to the Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham & Women’s Hospital. https://giving.brighamandwomens.org/bwhannromneycenter4. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
