Obituary of Rita P. Martin

EDWARDS/GOUVERNEUR – Rita P. Martin, age 66, of Gouverneur and formerly of Edwards, passed away on December 21, 2017 in Syracuse. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home in Edwards on Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. with her funeral service following at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Orville Eacker officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Rita was born on January 2, 1951 in Edwards to the late Francis and Aletha (Farr) Barker. She graduated from the Edwards Central School with honors and a Certificate in Cosmetology in 1969 and attended Mater Dei for social work. Rita married William G. Martin on July 3, 1969 in the Gouverneur First United Methodist Church. The couple have lived in Gouverneur for most of their marriage. Rita took great pride in raising her family. She loved to garden and having many dogs over the years. Her survivors include her husband, William; a son, Michael Martin; daughter and son-in-law, Jayne and Jason Pratt; brother, Gerald and Nancy Barker, sisters, Diane and Tom Campbell and Clara Cole. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Marcus Hart, Ryan Martin, Rylynn Martin, Raina Pratt, Tyler Pratt; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by three children, Matthew, Daniel and Amy; and a sister, Linda Towne. Donations in memory of Rita may be made to Friends 4 Pound Paws, PO Box 394, Gouverneur NY 13642 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse NY 13220. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.