Catherine Martyak Obituary (1918 - 2009)

AUGUSTA -- 'Her Irish eyes were always smiling.' Catherine Martyak was full of wit and charm her entire life. Her sparkle flickered out as she died peacefully on Feb. 19, 2009, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta of natural causes. Catherine Agnes Cranston was born in Chester, Pa., on March 15, 1918. Born on the Ides of March, that belied her charm and sense of humor. Her father, Bartley Cranston, a quiet-spoken Scotsman, worked in the oil refineries of Marcus Hook, Pa. Her Irish mother, Bridget 'Bridie' O'Malley Cranston, was active her entire life in their parish church, Holy Savior. Throughout her life, Catherine always held a very deep sibling affection for her younger brother, Bartley, with whom she shared a passion for dancing, often competing in big band dance contests in their youth. After attending West Philadelphia Catholic School for Girls, Catherine earned her nursing degree at Philadelphia's Misericordia Hospital, where she excelled as an operating nurse, given her penchant for exactness. With vibrant red hair and a personality to match, she had her pick of physicians who wanted to date her and often would joke at how she could have been living on Philadelphia's Maine Line married to a wealthy and flamboyant surgeon. She did meet the man of her dreams in the operating room, making eyes at her over a surgeon's mask. He was a shy, young intern committed to being a general practitioner in a small former coal-mining town near his home, making a modest living. She married Gabriel Stephen Martyak, M.D. on Nov. 27, 1941, knowing it had to be true love since he would not and could not dance. While Gabe then served overseas as a major in the Army Medical Corps during World War II, 'Kit', as she was known, served as an initial nurse/stewardess on the first Silver Meteor sleeper train traveling between New York and Florida. She charmed conductors to slow the train whenever it passed through Marcus Hook so she could wave to her young son in the care of her parents, with whom they lived during World War II. After the war, Gabe and Kit moved to Freeland, Pa., where they set up house and a medical practice and set in motion a family of doctors and lawyers. They contributed countless good works of community service, caring for patients and causes, all the while raising their family of five children. After 58 years of marriage, Kit lost her husband in 2000. Her wit and ease of conversation, her command of the English language and love of reading, which she attributed to the Sisters of St. Joseph and her parochial education, and her insistence on manners and in learning the proper way of doing things were virtues she imparted to her children. She is survived by four sons, one daughter and daughter-in-law: Stephen N. Martyak, MD, JD; Gabriel G. Martyak, DO, MBA; Joseph J. Martyak, JD; Bartholomew A. Martyak, MD(Kate); Stephanie M. Martyak, DO; and her 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Memorial Masses will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Augusta on June 21 and June 26. Funeral services for will be April 4 at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, in Freeland, Pa., where she will be buried and once again be with her devoted husband. In lieu of flowers, memorial gestures can be sent to Howell House, 44 Sewall St., Augusta, Maine, 04330, a nonprofit assisted-living facility Kit delighted in recently calling home.