Obituary: Martha Seaton Crittenden (1923 - Aug. 28, 2009)

Martha Seaton Crittenden (1923 - Aug. 28, 2009)

Martha Seaton-Crit­ten­den, 86, of Medford relaxed into the perpetual repose of her loving savior’s embrace on August 28, 2009. She was born in 1923, in Honolulu, Hawaii, grew up in Hawaii and lived most of her adult life in California.

Martha is survived by children, Ian Seaton (and spouse Donna) in Round Rock, Tex.; Jeanne Evers (and Bill) in Medford, Ore.; and Martha Roy (and Dwight) in Hiouchi; step children Betty Branch and Robert Crittenden; grandchildren Ashley Seaton, Emily Evers, Ryan Watson, Dwight Roy, Jr., Paula Smith, and Mechelle Roy; and great- grandchildren, Timothy Meeks, Kaitlyn Watson, Jacqueline Smith, Megan Smith, Anthony Nunley and Shayla Roy and one great -great-grandchild.

Martha graduated from  Punahou High School in Hawaii and Mills College in California and after graduation she worked on the Manhattan Project at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and received a commendation from President Harry Truman for her contributions. Her great goal in life was to be a mother and she totally focused her love and energy on that task before eventually returning to work as a secondary history and mathematics teacher in Ukiah and Salinas. She was a devoted mother and wife – always thanking God for the blessing of two wonderful marriages: 47 years with John Seaton and a second journey with Eugene Crittenden for nine years – she definitely got a richly deserved extra share of marital happiness. Martha took great, albeit quiet, pleasure in the well-being and happiness of her children, especially in their loving marriages.

Martha was a long time member of Ukiah First Presbyterian Church, Salinas First Presbyterian Church, Brookings Presbyterian Church, and Monterey Presbyterian Church and a regular participant in various Bible study groups within each congregation. She was a member of the Naval Post Graduate School Faculty Auxiliary. She gathered friends in all these activities and maintained contact with more friends than most people ever meet.  She travelled over four continents, and was welcomed into friends’ homes wherever she went.

Based on frequency of use, “delightful” was Martha’s favorite word. Rain and sunshine, night and day, cats and dogs, house full of family and quiet evening with hubby – all were equally delightful. She applied great accumulated intelligence, education and wisdom with a child’s ability to be repeatedly and honestly delighted by whatever was in front of her and would clap her hands and laugh and spread that delight to everyone around her.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking Martha’s friends to make contributions to their favorite charity benefiting either the homeless or children in need. Arrangements under the direction of Conger-Morris  Funeral Directors, in Medford. A memorial ceremony will be held at the Eagle Point National Cemetery, located at 2763 Riley Road, Eagle Point, Ore., on Friday, September 4, at 11:00 am.

Submitted by Family

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