1936 – 2022

Patricia Martin passed peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 3 after a brief struggle with cancer. Born Patricia Helen Eikenberry, she grew up in Culver City. World War II deeply impacted young Pat as she was left to be raised by her great-grandmother while her father served in the Navy and her mother took a position at an aircraft manufacturing plant. She had many stories about the restricted life in Los Angeles at that time – blackout curtains, air raid sirens and food ration coupons. After the war, the family reunited and moved to the San Fernando Valley and her brother, William, was born. She attended Van Nuys High School at the same time as actors Natalie Wood and Robert Redford and yet undiscovered baseball legend, Don Drysdale.

Patricia married Raymond Martin in 1956 and they raised three children together – Joseph, Lisa and Susan. In 1961, the family moved to Sunland to a house on a quiet cul-de-sac street near Big Tujunga Canyon. Pat described the neighborhood as the perfect place to have a family because all the kids could play safely in the street or go down to the wash and explore nature, as she had done in her middle years growing up. The family enjoyed camping at Rock Creek in the Sierra Mountains near Bishop, California. Pat loved the peace that came with fishing along the streams there.

The family attended Church of the Ascension in Tujunga and were actively involved in many aspects of the church community, including choir, Sunday school, fundraisers, the Bargain Basement thrift shop, and the church’s well-known drama productions.

A significant part of Patricia’s life came from her career working for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in downtown Los Angeles. She worked for the office of Court Reporter and Interpreter Services, the division that provides support to every courthouse in Los Angeles County. This is where she thrived, moving from basic administrative positions into management. Pat learned so much during these years that she felt compelled to mentor new employees and student workers, taking many of them under her wing and teaching them vital skills. When Pat retired, she was very proud of the work she had done and those she helped to succeed.

In 2018, Patricia moved out of state with her daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law Greg to Riggins, Idaho. They enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle in the small town surrounded by beauty and wildlife. Pat loved to spend time outside on the deck of their home, looking down at the grassy hills and the Salmon River. She occasionally volunteered at the local thrift store, ETC., with Lisa who eventually became the manager there.

Patricia is survived by son Joseph Martin (Roberta) of Granada Hills; daughter Lisa Daniels (Greg) of Riggins, Idaho; and daughter Susan Bolan (Jeffrey) of La Crescenta. She has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made in honor of Patricia Martin to ETC., a nonprofit organization that supports the local ASK (after-school kids) program. More information is available by emailing susanbolan710@gmail.com.