Claudia Jean Martin of Provincetown passed away Friday, May 1st after a brief illness, following a stay at Bourne Manor for rehabilitation. She was 74.
Born in Provincetown, she was the daughter of the late Manuel R. and Anna Theresa (Tarvis) Martin. Her maternal grandparents were Joseph (Sou'West) Tarvis and Mary Gomes who migrated from Portugal to start a life for their family here in America, eventually calling Provincetown home. Her paternal grandparents were Myron and Francesca Martin from the Azores. Upon arriving in America, they settled in Oak Bluffs, and later, Fall River.
After graduating from Provincetown High School, class of 1965, Claudia went to hairdressing school, earned her license and opened Pisces Beauty Parlor on Commercial Street in Provincetown, following in the footsteps of her Aunt Josette (Josephine) Enos. When Josette retired, Claudia happily took over her customers in addition to her own clients.
Claudia was an old soul and loved to be with people. She especially loved playing Bingo, the lottery, always keeping her numbers secret; and going on bus trips. Some of her special talents were knitting and crocheting. It was easy to spot Claudia walking down the street with a bag full of yarn and needles. When she got to her destination, she would take out her project and work on it. Some never got done, but they had some mileage behind them. Claudia was very generous in that she would give gifts to everyone. These trinkets would be found in another bag right next to her chair so that any visitor or relative would receive whatever was the chosen gift during their visit.
Claudia was a parishioner of St. Peters Catholic Church in Provincetown. In the 70's she sang in the choir, and was involved in church functions while she was still able to do so.
She had a lot of friends and looked forward to going to the Council on Aging to enjoy a meal or entertainment or just friendly laughter. Later in her life, she had lots of people looking in on her to make sure she was OK. She loved her kitty, Lily who was her company, and her comfort. She missed Lily most of all during days when she could not return to her home because of illness. She lived with her mother and father in this home, built by her father, for most of her entire life.
Claudia is survived by her first cousins, Custodio Silva Sr. of N. Truro, Marian Michalski of Fl., Cynthia Morgan of Dartmouth, and Richard Martin of Fl. She was particularly close to her Godchild Brianna LePage with whom she would share her closest secrets and confide with a twinkle in her eye, and a shake of the finger. Claudia is also survived by several generations of cousins many from out of town who would visit her, much to her delight. Her friends and relatives were many and she will be missed by them, as we will all miss her.
Due to the current health crisis and resulting government restrictions, Claudia’s visitation and Funeral Mass will be postponed until it is deemed safe, at a time and date to be announced. Burial in St Peters Cemetery will be private.