In Memoriam: Mrs. Margit Elizabeth Martin, age 99, passed away peacefully on 5 August 2024, in Orange Park, Florida.
Margit, as her friends and family knew her, was born Oct. 5, 1924, in a very small farm town on the outskirts of Szeged Hungary. Margit was a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her children Cynthia and MSgt Christopher “Ace”, USMC (Ret.), four grandchildren, Fallon, Christopher, Angela, and Jeremy, 11 great-grandchildren, and many of her family still living in Hungary, France, Switzerland, and Sweden.
Margit was a devoted wife and mother offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance. She had a very generous spirit with family and friends, and for many years actively volunteered to help in local organizations including Orange Park Hospital and St. Catherine Catholic Church. She was inspired by the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church, her family, and close friends. She loved sharing her stories of her and her family’s life and was the life of the party.
Margit spent time on a small farm growing up with 7 brothers and 6 sisters. At age 7, after her mother passed, she lived with relatives for a short time, then moved to a Catholic convent where she found her calling as a beautician, which she found truly engaging.
At the end of World War II, while still in beautician school, she and other young girls were moved from Hungary, through Austria, into Bavaria Germany as war refugees. Margit suffered a great deal of hardships, including serious illnesses, constant bombings, lack of food/clothing, and running from the Russian Army invading Hungary. The Catholic Churches in Bavaria hid Margit at different Catholic convents. Margit finally arrived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany where she worked in a small restaurant for US military personnel. She had terrible memories of the war, but fond memories of the US and Bavarian friends she met.
Margit was finally able to travel to the US in 1952, with no money or friends, to become a beautician in Miami Florida at the Fontainebleau Hotel, with friends like Mrs. Rickenbacker, wife of Eastern Airlines CEO. In 1955, she met LCDR Donald Franklin Martin, (Ret., deceased Oct 2021), and in 1956 they married in Connecticut. They had an exciting and very long life together, living in Naval Based in Key West, Orlando, Kwajalein, Japan, and Italy- finally retiring near close friends in Orange Park, Florida.
Margit loved to be with her family and friends, whether it was a small gathering, large party, traveling, singing, or volunteering. She was so proud of her family, that she would brag about her children, Cynthia and Chris, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members- to anyone who would listen. She loved to share herself and her family with the world. She will be greatly missed—Requiescat in Pace.
Margin Martin will be laid to rest at the US National Cemetery in Jacksonville Florida on 18 September, 10:00 AM, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville Florida, 32218.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities. https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
