Esther Martin

Esther Ruth Martin was born December 10, 1934 in a little red house just across the river for Santa Paula, California to Robert Clinton and Hazel Ruth McMillan.  Married to James Darrell Martin on June 27, 1953 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Ventura, CA.

Esther was raised in Ventura, California where she attended Ventura Junior High, Ventura High School, and Ventura College.  At a Halloween party and dance at “the barn” in 1952, she met Jim Martin who was on leave from the US Navy.  In 1953, while living in Ventura and working at the city offices, she was married.

She started her family with her first born in Ventura, and the next two in New Mexico where Jim was working for the Air Traffic Control.   Back to California, where in 1960 they were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Leon and Rose Pearce who fellowshipped them into the church.

When they joined the church, Esther was disowned by her parents.  With a strong testimony of the restored church, she and Jim were later sealed for time and eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Ojai became their home for the next 40 years.  Many life long friendships were developed as she raised her 9 kids in Ojai.

In 1981 she returned to college and completed her RN Program and started working at the Ojai Community Hospital.  As a nurse Esther was able to give of her love to many many patients in the hospital and also as a Home Health Nurse.

Esther also loved growing a garden and eating the fruit and veggies she grew.  Her love of nativity scenes is evident by the many nativities in her home.

In 2003, Jim and Esther moved to Santa Clara, Utah and quickly brought many more friends into their hearts.

Along with her husband, she served an 18 month mission for the church in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission.

With the loving zany and quirky sense of humor and her unending love for everyone, she not only made friends everywhere, but many many of her children’s friends considered her a 2nd mom.

It is with love and gratitude that we would like to thank those who assisted Esther with her care as she prepared to slip peacefully into eternity on November 24, 2018 with Jim at her side.

Esther is survived by Jim her husband of 65 years, her children Ellen (Noeli Ingatius Cooper), Jeff (Wendy), Chuck (Katherine), Micah, John (Lisa), Betsy, Donna (Rhod Campbell), Andrew (Santhi), 35 grandchildren, 41ish great grandchildren, and her brother Don (Nina) McMillan.  She is proceeded in death by her first born Darrell and her sister Mary.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11:00am with a viewing prior to the service from 9:30-10:30am at the LDS church located at 3815 Rachel Drive, Santa Clara, Utah 84765.  Graveside service immediately following at the Santa Clara City Cemetery.