Elizabeth "Beth" Twyla Martin

Elizabeth “Beth” Twyla Martin, born in Santa Cruz, California, to Emil and Daisy Trefts, passed away peacefully on July 31 at the age of 95.

A graduate of Santa Cruz High School in 1946, she excelled academically, ranking in the top 10 of her class. Beth continued her education at San Jose State University in California, earning a teaching credential, and dedicating over 38 years to shaping young minds as a kindergarten and first grade teacher.

Beth’s commitment to community and service began early. Coming from a five-generation Masonic family, she became a Rainbow Girl in 1944, serving as chapter worthy adviser and California state grand representative to Ohio. In 1947, she was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, remaining a lifelong member.

In 1965, Beth married Warfield Martin, the love of her life, and they settled in Foster City, California. After the passing of her father, Emil, the couple retired to Astoria in 1988, bringing her mother, Daisy, so she could care for her.

Beth and Warfield quickly fell in love with the community, joining the Astoria Golf & Country Club and becoming active in the local scene. They also established the Warfield and Elizabeth T. Martin Scholarship at Clatsop Community College, fostering education in their new hometown.

Following Warfield’s passing from cancer in 2002, Beth continued to honor their shared commitment to philanthropy. She supported local arts and joined the local PEO chapter, supported the local museums and volunteered at the local hospital. Her love for social connections remained strong, as she enjoyed playing dominoes and bridge with friends and meeting weekly with her coffee group to “solve the world’s problems.”

In her final years at the Clatsop Retirement Village assisted living facility, Beth found joy in helping her neighbors, whether guiding them to the dining room or engaging in games of dominoes, cards or jigsaw puzzles.

Beth is survived by her nieces, Cherilyn Costa, of Vancouver, Washington, and Kathleen Sanders, of Oceanside, California; and her nephew, Kenneth Trefts, of Vancouver. She was also blessed to have two grandnieces, four grandnephews, one great-grandnephew and four great-grandnieces.

A special thank you to the friends who faithfully visited or called her in her later years, and to the medical support team at the Clatsop Retirement Village, and to the support team at Lower Columbia Hospice, who assured she was comfortable and rarely alone in her last days.

There will be a small graveside service at 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton for family and close friends.