Obituary of Karolyn K. Martin

Karloyn Kathryn Martin, nee Karolyn Kathryn Kapinos, of Youngstown passed away after a short illness on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Karolyn was born in Niagara Falls, NY at Mt. St Mary’s to Max and Wanda (Sciera) Kapinos on May 27, 1938. She and her family called the Ontario House (Stone Jug) home for a good part of her childhood, first growing up in the family residence and then a side apartment. During this time, Karolyn helped the family welcome her only sibling, Kasia Caputo. They moved to the family home in 1951. Karolyn attended Stella Niagara for her high school years graduating in 1956. She extended her education with Trott Vocational School of Practical Nursing obtaining her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate. Immediately after graduating, she started working with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Karolyn would soon have a different calling. Karolyn and Clement George Martin (George) celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on May 27, 1961. They remained in Youngstown where they raised their four boys, Michael, Mitchell, George, and Robert (Bob). Shortly after starting their family, Karolyn left nursing to raise her boys. She did return to nursing for a short time in the early 80s working for Fairchild Manor Nursing Home in Lewiston as well as being a home nurse for elderly patients in Niagara Falls. While Karolyn loved nursing, it was being a mother to her four boys and all of their friends which truly was her calling. She worked tirelessly alongside her husband and others to start a Drum and Bugle Corp to support the local volunteer fire company in their parades around the area. While George ran the group Karolyn became the nurse, cook, and surrogate mom for all who marched. The group then expanded becoming the Niagara Frontiersmen. She would travel each summer ensuring that the young marchers were well taken care of. When the young group disbanded, Karolyn and her friend Betty moved on to working with the senior corp, the Rochester Crusaders. She was always happy to give of her time to the musicians. She loved being there to encourage, support, cheer on, have fun, and make her taco salad. The music brought her so much happiness. Karolyn gave her time locally in the Niagara area working with both SABAH followed by Gliding Stars and the CPRG bowling group. All of the groups worked with mentally challenged adults. She worked with SABAH and then Gliding Stars to get those adults out on the ice. While Karolyn did not hit the ice herself, she sewed costumes, gave hugs, painted scenes, and blew up balloons – a lot of balloons. Karolyn also traveled each week to the bowling alleys to keep scores, help with shoes, and spread smiles to the athletes. Most importantly she worked hard to help these adults understand that there was nothing that they couldn’t do. Karolyn loved to travel with her family. They enjoyed many years of camping and traveling together. Annual trips down to Florida provided many memories that the family still cherishes today. The family traveled the entire East coast of the United States and Canada going from Quebec to the Florida Keys. She also traveled to England a number of times in the 90s. Most recently, she became a world traveler with her granddaughter Holly as they traversed through Poland, London, and then Hawaii. Karolyn’s most difficult job came with the passing of her husband, George, in 1980. She completed raising her boys as a single mother. She provided love and support for her children as they started their own lives. Karolyn spent 78 years giving of herself. Karolyn was preceded in death by her husband, George, and her parents, Max and Wanda. Karolyn is survived by her sister Kasia (Bill) Caputo, her sons, Michael (Kim Kelley), Mitchell, George (Jill Mordick, Fiancée), and Bob (Nancy Arlington). She is also survived by four loving granddaughters; Brooke (Larry) Benn, Jennifer, Holly, and Audrey, and one great-granddaughter, Paige Benn. She is also survived by her surrogate grandchildren Pamela (Nicholas) McKinney and Michael Mordick. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston, NY on Tuesday, September 27, from 6 pm – 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 28, at 10:00 am in at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, Hinman & Second Sts., Youngstown. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Gliding Stars at 1307 Military Rd. Niagara Falls, NY 14217.