In Memoriam

ELLA L. MARTIN

Rebekah Assembly President, 1911

July 4, 1947

"Weep not that their toils are over,

Weep not that their race is run;

God grant that we rest as comely,

When our work, like theirs, is done."

(Taken from Sister Martin's President Report)

Ella Louise Hall was born at Richmond, Vermont, on December 11, 1864.  She came to Idaho as a young woman.  Early in life she became a Rebekah and there she found a place in which to perform her kindly deeds for humanity.  She belonged to no other lodges, and for a lifetime she gave an efficient service to Rebekah Odd Fellowship.  She married Brother Frank Martin, who some years ago served the Order as its Grand Sire, on December 28, 1892, and she served as President of our Assembly in the year 1911.

In thinking of Sister Martin, I have always been deeply impressed with her fine reserve, her integrity, her dignity-all characteristics she had acquired as a young girl, back in  New England.  She was deeply loyal to her friends, and her love of home and family were foremost in her daily life.  When her husband was Grand Sire, and while on an auto trip visiting the Order he met with an accident which left one arm almost helpless, and through the years that followed, Sister Martin was constantly with him, doing for him, assisting him, and in the true spirit of Rebekah she ministered to his every want.  She was a lover of nature, and in the beautiful garden at her home in Boise, she could be found each day amidst the lovely flowers that meant so much to her.  I think back over the years of service, and I am overwhelmed with the feeling that such members as Ella L. Martin have made the Order what it is today.  Such members never quite leave us, even though they have passed through the shadow of death to the sunlight above, a thousand sweet memories hold them fast within our hearts.

I attended the services in Boise, last July 8th, when Sister Martin was laid to rest, and the minister repeated a lovely poem which seemed to so perfectly describe Ella L. Martin, that I wish to give it to you who are here today, thinking of our departed loved one:

By Ella W. Horne, P.P.

LOVELY GROWING OLD

You are more lovely growing old

Because your ways are right.

The past holds happy tales you've told,

The future is alight

With all the influence you shed

Upon young hears that grope.

We are by your words comforted,

We grasp your joy, your hope.

Your feet have traveled ways of peace

For eighty years and more.

The turmoil of the world must cease,

It cannot reach your door.

You have outlived more days than these

Of changing ways and stress.

And in your eyes the harmonies

Of life spell happiness.

You are more lovely growing old,

The lines in your calm face

Exemplify, as we behold,

Long tranquil years of grace.

Because of you, we do not fear

The wings of time in flight,

If we can walk as you have, dear,

In paths of truth and right!