Mass of Christian Burial for Carolyn Sidley Martin, age 80, will be 11:30 am Saturday, December 10th  at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor with Rev. Timothy Plavec officiating. Friends will be received Friday, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home 667 Mentor Ave., Painesville, Ohio.

A Concord Twp. resident, Carolyn was born on June 6, 1936 in Painesville, Ohio. As a young child she grew up on the family farm in Thompson. In 1946, at 10 years of age, the family moved to Madison where she attended Madison High School. After graduation, Carolyn attended St. Mary's College in South Bend, IN where she earned a BA in Social Services. Carolyn married Raymond J. Martin in 1959 at St. Mary's parish in Painesville. The couple spent most of their married life in Mentor where they raised two children. In their retirement, Carolyn and Ray moved to Concord where they lived together until he passed away in 2006. Carolyn remained active and engaged in family and community activities despite being diagnosed with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, a rare blood cancer, in 2002. After a full and blessed life, Carolyn passed away peacefully on December 4, 2016 at her residence, surrounded by family.

A devoted Catholic, she was an original member of St. Bede the Venerable parish in Mentor.  At St. Bede's she was a Eucharistic Minister, taught Religion in the PSR program (frequently assisted by her granddaughters), contributed baked goods for various church functions and attended the widows group. She also participated in weekly Bible study with a cherished group of friends.

Carolyn was instrumental in the formation of Birthright of Lake County and is listed on their Charter as one of the founding members. She held many voluntary staff positions, including that of Executive Director. Carolyn and her family's dedication to Birthright went beyond simply administrative roles. Embracing Jesus's call to serve thy neighbor, she welcomed several pregnant women into their home, providing a safe place to live until their child was born.

As a member of the Board of Directors at R.W. Sidley Inc., she managed the Edith Sidley Scholarship committee. During her tenure, over $100,000 in scholarship funds were distributed to graduates of Ledgemont High School in Thompson to offset college tuition costs.

Carolyn and her husband were active members of Serra International, a Catholic organization that promotes religious vocations as a viable option for those individuals who feel a calling to the priesthood and religious life. After the death of her husband, Carolyn remained an active member of Serra and looked forward to first Friday mass and lunch with club members.

Recreationally, Carolyn enjoyed golfing in the Women's League at the Casement Club in Painesville, "sewing circle" with devoted friends, volunteering with her husband at Holden Arboretum, playing board games and jigsaw puzzles with her grandchildren and engaging in numerous activities with her friends and wonderful neighbors.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her son, Francis (Erica) Martin, and their children, Mary, Grace, Eric and Lily; and daughter, Ellen (Kelly) Kooser, and their children, Alex, Dylan, and Mason. Mrs. Martin is also survived by her brothers; Robert (Polly) Sidley, Joseph (Ginny) Sidley and Arthur (Pat) Sidley; and nieces and nephews, Rob Sidley, Michael Sidley, Beth Safick, Kathy Parks, Christy Crouch, Kelly Sidley, Jeff Sidley, Bob Buescher, Al Buescher, Janny Sims, Carolyn Woodham, Jackie Wilson, Bridget Dunbar, Joseph Martin, Billy Martin, Michael Martin, Mary Kay Evans, Melissa Huff, Anne Gehres, Bob Martin, Jr., Rick Martin, Kathy Martin, Susanne Cason, and Mary Liz Latuelere.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond J. Martin on February 14, 2006; parents, Robert W. and Edith (Cooper) Sidley; and her sister, Janice Sidley; Sister-In-Law Delores Martin and Brother-In-Law, Bob Martin; Sister-In-Law Peg Fletcher and Brother-In-Law Alden Fletcher; and Brother- In-Law Joseph Martin and Sister-In-Law Bea Martin.

Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon beside her loving husband, Raymond J. Martin. Contributions in Carolyn's memory may be made to Birthright of Lake County.