Isabel Martin

Isabel Kathryn Martin, Indianapolis, died on December 12, 2011. She was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Della and David Martin and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harry Dale Martin, and by her brother Rae C. Martin and sister-in-law Ruthanne. After moving with her family to Indianapolis, she finished her senior year at Emmerich Manual High School at age 16. At age 17 she began her career at The Indianapolis Times and worked for the newspaper--including many years as a supervisor in the circulation department--until it ceased publishing in 1965. She became the secretary to the director of the John Herron Art Museum (forerunner to the Indianapolis Museum of Art) in 1967. She was among the original staff members at the new permanent home for the museum, at 38th and Michigan Road, when it opened there in 1970. She was executive secretary to six directors during her tenure at the museum, through June 2006. She was a long-time supporter of the museum and became a Life Trustee in 2006 and was a member of the Alliance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Indianapolis. She was devoted to her family, caring for them all, especially during their last years. She had a wide circle of friends that included former museum colleagues, neighbors, and friends at church, and was a gracious hostess to the many visitors to her home. An avid gardener, she always looked forward to spring, when she filled the borders in her yard with impatiens and begonias, planting them among the perennials—roses, chrysanthemums, hostas and many others—that thrived under her care. Thanks to all who were her friends—who enjoyed her company at so many lunches and dinners, who called to check in on her, who sought her advice and admired her independence, who brought her flowers and good wishes—and to all those who comforted and cared for her during her last days. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Indianapolis, 8600 N. College Ave., or the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 N. Michigan Rd. Funeral service will be at 3 pm on Sat., Dec. 17, at Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple, with visitation from 1 to 3 pm. Entombment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan