D. Cleo Martin

D. Cleo Martin, age 101, died peacefully in her sleep, her family by her side at St. Thomas More hospital in Canon City, CO on September 1, 2023.

Cleo was born June 28, 1922, in Macon Co., Missouri to Charles Brack Todd and Blanche (Davisson) Todd. She was the fourth child and youngest girl in a family of eight children. Her family moved to Colorado when Cleo was 10 years old. They lived in Center CO in the San Luis Valley where her father worked at a dairy farm. Cleo graduated from Center High School at the age of 16 and then worked as a waitress in a café in the Valley. She moved to Canon City in 1940 with her sister, and worked at Helms Drug Store where she met Aubrey D. Martin, a 1937 Canon City High School Graduate. Cleo and Aubrey were married January 18, 1942, in Taos NM. They were married for 47 years before Aubrey’s death in 1989.

After their marriage they lived briefly in Albuquerque NM where they ran the Western Auto store before Aubrey left to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. In 1947 they operated Sumpters Diner across from the Canon Hotel. In 1952 they moved to Florence CO where Aubrey was a partner and manager of the Gambles store. Cleo worked at the store but also as a cook at the school cafeteria. In 1962 they moved to Pueblo CO where Aubrey worked for Sears and Cleo first worked for JC Penny and then went back to school to become a Certified Occupational Therapist at the Colorado State Hospital where she worked for 19 years. After their retirements, they returned to Canon City in 1987 where Cleo continued to live after Aubrey’s death. During that time, she was a volunteer with hospice and spent endless hours tending her flower and vegetable gardens.

She is survived by her son, A. Dallas Martin, Jr., and daughter-in-law Frances Jill, of Bend OR; her daughter, Linda Gaye Martin, Lakewood CO; her granddaughter MaryLea (Martin) Harris, and her husband K. Geoffrey Harris, Bend OR; two great granddaughters, Emma L. Harris and K. Claire Harris, Bend OR; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends, especially Cheryl and Robert Henderson who mean so much to her.

A celebration of life will be held on September 11 at 11:00 AM at Steeple Event Center, 701 Macon Ave., Canon City. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to, may make memorial contributions to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, 601 Greenwood, Ave., Canon City, CO 81212, or Christ First Community Church (memo line Food Pantry), 801 Main St., Canon City, CO 81212.

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