Sr. Marie Martin Smith, SFP

April 7, 1930 – September 27, 2022

Sr. Marie Martin was a quiet, peaceful presence, one who served others in the spirit of Blessed Frances Schervier, the foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and St. Francis. In many ways, she was a woman who reached across barriers that others saw as roadblocks, and she did it with a smile, a simple action and a loving inviting glance. Sr. Marie Martin enriched the lives of everyone who took the time to meet and speak with her, and our lives will certainly continue to be enriched by the memories we hold dear in our hearts.

Melba May was born in Columbia, Missouri on April 7, 1930, to Edgar and Mary Katherine Smith. She attended Dunbar Elementary School together with her 6 siblings, Betty Jean, Essie Catherine, Leola, Lloyd James, Alfred and Edgar, and graduated from Charles Sumner High School in 1949. As a young adult, Melba May found employment with the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor at St. Mary Hospital in Quincy, IL. This was her first contact with religious women, and she was so impressed by the dedication of the Sisters who worked in the hospital and the way they lived their charism of service to God and suffering humanity, that she converted to Catholicism. Further encouraged by her growing friendship with the Sisters in Quincy, she eventually entered the Congregation.

Melba May entered the novitiate on September 8, 1956 at St. Clare Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio and received her religious name, Sr. Marie Martin. She made her First Profession of Vows on August 25, 1959 and her Perpetual Profession on August 25, 1964, also in Cincinnati. Sr. Marie Martin must have grown in courage during the years that followed, as she was the first and only African American to enter the Congregation. Considering the cultural tensions of the decades, she frequently faced the forces of prejudice and discrimination. In the midst of it all, Sr. Marie Martin’s continuing gentleness and kindness made a lasting mark on the lives and hearts of others.
After her formation, Sr. Marie Martin worked in Culinary Services for a short time before being sent to study radiology at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, and ministered as a radiology technician at St. Elizabeth’s, St. Francis Hospital and Providence Hospital, in Dayton and Cincinnati, OH, a career spanning 16 years.

As a woman always open to the new and possible, in 1985, Sr. Marie Martin spent several months working in Senegal, Africa. Here, she worked closely with Sr. Adelaide Link, assisting the handicapped in receiving health care services at the medical clinics the Sisters had organized and teaching the women to sew in order to provide for their families.
Sr. Marie Martin’s adaptability and her strong desire to serve the poorest of the poor were called on again in 1997, this time to serve in Brazil. She was “an angel of God’s mercy” to hundreds of needy, disadvantaged and suffering persons. Her cultural experiences in Senegal and Brazil deepened her natural sensitivity to those who were poor, displaced and suffering.

Upon Sr. Marie Martin’s return to the US, she devoted ten years to working as a Home Health Aide, ministering directly to the poor in their homes, as did Mother Frances. Even when she retired, Sister continued to faithfully volunteer at Extravagant Bargains Thrift Store, working with Sr. Pascaline Colling to assist the needy and alleviate suffering among the residents of Hamilton, OH.

In her most recent years, Sr. Marie Martin joined Magnificat Community, where she spent most of her time devoted to prayer and presence, the two ministries she lived and valued throughout her long life. Here, she lived a quiet and peace-filled life …unless the Cincinnati Reds baseball team was playing a game. Sporting events must have stirred joyous memories of childhood, because Sister became animated whenever the conversation turned to her beloved local teams.
Sister Marie Martin died as she had lived, quietly surrendering to God’s loving embrace, supported in prayer by her Franciscan Sisters. Preceded in death by her parents and loving brothers and sisters, Sister leaves behind her many nieces and nephews, along with her Franciscan Sisters, Associates and friends.

Sr. Jo-Ann Jackowski

“Watch Me Now”

Smart, direct and to the point,
a sharp and focused mind,
Yet, your chuckle tattled on your heart,
“I’m caring and I’m kind.”
Pay attention, do your job,
and walk in peace, not strife,
And here’s the way to make a bed,
or build a faithful life.
Thank you, Sister, for lessons learned,
we’ll remember how it’s done,
What joy in Heaven, you are there,
your victory is won.

© 2023 Beverly Kaye

The following are some testimonials from our Sisters and Associates who remember with affection Sr. Marie Martin Smith: 
 
Sr. Marie Martin bore witness to me of being a humble soul. She was faithful to what was hers to do throughout her life for the sake of the Kingdom of God. A woman of few words, but plenty of smiles, she was actively engaged in life despite her years. Her “presence” was there for all.
Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, sfp
 
Sister Mary Martin has reached Father’s house to rejoice in eternal peace!
Among her many services for and with the poor, I remember when she was in Koungheul…. a unique simplicity!
The day that due to reason of expired visa he had to return to the U.S. in a very short time. On the way to the airport, Sister André (in charge of private clinics in Senegal) asked her what work she did, and so we learned that she was a physical therapist!
Sister André was very saddened to see her leave…because they had been looking for one at the regional hospital in Kaolack for a long time…. Marie Martin departed, leaving us in remembrance her silent presence even without knowing French well! May she rest in peace!
Sr. Francesca Atorino, sfp
 
I only came to know Sr. Marie Martin when i was called from the mission in the Philippines in 2018. Knowing her during the past two years as a community minister of Magnificat has been a privilege – she was her own person – quiet but very prayerful. I would consider her a good member of the community. She always participated in the activities at Magnificat – bingo games which she loved, arts and crafts, entertainment for music, house meetings and community prayers, especially praying the rosary. She always prayed the last decade of the rosary.
One time, she was leading it, and she noticed that the sisters were dozing off.  All of a sudden, she stopped and with a gruff voice said, “wake up” which stunned the rest of the Sisters and then nonchalantly continued praying the rosary. I had to refrain from laughing because I never expected her to do somthing like that.
When I arrived in december of 2018, Sr. Marie Martin was living on the second floor. She loved going to the porch and read the sports page of the newspaper as she sat on her favorite swing. sometimes, I would share with her some snacks and she would enjoy it. Sr. Marie Martin did not hesitate to ask for help when she needed it. she loved her family and i guess that was one thing that saddened her – she could not go home to see them. When her sister Beatie died, her vulnerability was apparent. she was so grateful when I asked her to come down to my room so she could see the video of her sister’s funeral. I read to her the sympathies written on the chat box and I asked her if she knew the people and she said no; she only knew her immediate family. 
Sr. Marie Martin loved the eucharist. When she was not able to go down for mass, she would call for me and asked for communion, whether in her room or in our small chapel on the third floor. Sr. Marie Martin, you are now with your beloved jesus – we will surely miss you and please say a prayer for us.
Sr. Armida Sison, sfp
 
 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23.6
Sr Marie Martin was an example of someone who found God  in the simplicity of life.
Humble and unassuming her spirituality shone bright in her Franciscan life of service.
I came to know Sr.Marie Martin on Magnificat.   She attended every program , happy to engage with the community of Sisters and staff.
Her bright , engaging smile warmed you, her walker had a pink lily on the basket- she had spirit!
Her heart now rests with God, I know she saw his face as he called her home!
Sfp Associate Anne Cabanas
 
Sr. Marie Martin loved going to see the Cincinnati Reds.
I got some tickets for an Opening Day game a few years ago and took her and  Sr. Adelaide.  
After the game, we went to a Westside party at the Wegmann farm that houses the Budweiser Klidesdale horses when they’re in town.  
Sr. Marie Martin enjoyed the game and the party and I was so grateful to provide an opportunity to share an enjoyable evening with some old Cincinnati families who support Findley Market Opening Day Parade and the Cincinnati Reds.
Godspeed to Heaven, Marie Martin!
Sfp Associate Nancy Ziegler