Carol Jean (Enger) Martin

April 16, 1947 - February 21, 2018

Surrounded by her loving family and friends, Carol Jean Martin passed away on February 21, 2018 due to complications from a rare and chronic lung condition. She was 70 years old.

On April 16, 1947 in Livingston, MT, Carol was the ninth of ten daughters born to Milton and Agnes (Nelson) Enger. The family moved to Helena in 1958, where Carol graduated from Helena High School in 1964. Carol subsequently earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Western Montana College, a fifth-year degree from University of Washington and a master's degree in computer education from Lesley College.

Carol loved working with children and was a devoted elementary school teacher for more than 30 years. She taught first grade in Federal Way, Washington for seven years before returning to Helena in 1976 to teach Title 1, kindergarten, first grade and second grade at Broadwater, Jim Darcy, Four Georgians, Ray Bjork, Hawthorne and Smith schools for 24 years. She also spent four years as an educational consultant following her retirement from teaching. Carol then worked part-time for St Paul's Church until the birth of her first grandson.

Carol married William Thomas "Tom" Martin on June 17, 1978. They soon after welcomed their cherished daughters, Amanda and then Andrea. Tom passed away in 1998. Despite many challenges throughout her life - including Andrea's battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma in high school, the unexpected loss of her husband Tom, the passing of seven sisters, and untimely deaths of several nieces and nephews -Carol's faith never faltered. She continued to share her calm spirit and kindness with everyone she met.

Anyone who knew Carol also knew she treasured her family and faith above all else. Her all-time favorite role was that of Grandma to grandsons Nelson and Erik and step-grandchildren Sofia and Alexander. Carol had the privilege of helping to raise Nelson and Erik, cultivating a special bond with her two little buddies. She showered her grandchildren with love, sharing stories and building a relationship with Sofia and Alexander, and finding infinite joy in the countless adventures with Nelson and Erik over the years, especially "Grandma Wednesdays." She also developed a love for traveling and was fortunate to visit Europe through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This spurred her to pursue adventures to Belize, Guatemala, China, Peru, Australia, and cruises to the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. She was constantly in awe of the natural beauty around her, whether walking on a beach, enjoying the vibrancy of a green forest, watching a sunset over a mountain view or the magic of a rainbow; she would often say that it fed her soul. She also thrived from helping children and watching them learn. She had a wonderful way of connecting with kids and encouraging their hearts.

Carol is survived by her two daughters, Amanda (Jamie) Clark and Andrea (Jesús) Salazar; grandsons, Nelson and Erik Clark; step-grandchildren Alexander and Sofia Salazar; sisters, Doris (Greg) Van Voast and Sharon (Joe) Boyd; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many great friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Agnes and Milton Enger; husband, William "Tom" Martin; sisters, Lorraine Cowie, Mildred Funk, Betty Davis, Gerry Copeland, Pat Joseph, Shirley Enger and Margie Seidl; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service celebrating Carol's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 1st at St. Paul's United Methodist Church 512 Logan Street. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.

Published in The Independent Record (Helena, MT) on February 25, 2018

Her memorial on the Find A Grave website contains links to known family members:  https://old.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=martin&GSfn=carol&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=2018&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=187587654&df=all&