Elizabeth (Lambert) Martin

Elizabeth (Lambert) Martin, beloved wife for 50 years of the late Albert Martin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 21, 2014, surrounded by her family at her home in Bloomfield. Born in New Haven, daughter of the late Rev. Alfred M. Lambert and Winifred A. (Smith) Lambert, she was raised in Hartford and had lived in Alabama, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, before returning to the Hartford area and settling in Bloomfield 57 years ago. Elizabeth attended Hartford Public Schools and graduated from Weaver High School with the Class of 1939. After her freshman year at Yale University, Elizabeth decided to follow her passion for music and transferred to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA where she studied music education and concert piano performance. Elizabeth later continued her education receiving a Masters in Music Education from Columbia Teacher's College in NY, NY and she completed many post graduate courses in music and education at St. Joseph's College, Boston University, and the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. She started her career in education teaching at the Lincoln School in Marion, AL and later at the Adams School in Coatesville, PA and at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC. Elizabeth met her husband Albert while at Elizabeth City State University, and after their marriage, the young couple decided to return to Hartford. Elizabeth took a position in the Music Department at the former Northeast Junior High School in Hartford and later at her alma mater, Weaver High School. Elizabeth was passionate about helping children learn and grow. She taught them not only about music but also about how to succeed in life. Many of Elizabeth's students went on to become accomplished musicians including several who performed on Broadway and became internationally recognized for their talents. She retired in 1986 after over 35 years of service to the Hartford Public Schools. Having been raised as the daughter of an Episcopal priest, Elizabeth was active in the church throughout her life and was a dedicated member of St. Monica's Church in Hartford. She was a charter member of the Hartford Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and she was a longtime member of the Greater Hartford Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She leaves a son, Keith L. Martin of Bloomfield; a brother, Dr. Kenneth R. Lambert and his wife Delorse of West Hartford; a sister, Mary Louise Kenney of Hartford; three nephews, Kristopher R. Lambert and his wife Tori of Farmington, Alfred R. Lambert and his wife Christina of Myock, NC, and Michael Lambert of Marietta, GA; four nieces, Dr. Karen L. Carr and her husband John of Richmond, VA, Winifred Lambert of Hartford, Diane-Louise Lambert Casson and her husband The Rev. Canon Lloyd Casson of Philadelphia, PA, and Beryl Elaine Kenney of Hutto, TX; and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Victor A. Lambert and Alfred M. Lambert, Jr. Her family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, 6-8 p.m., at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m., at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church St., Hartford with The Rev. Canon Wilborne A. Austin and The Rev. Lloyd Alexander "Tony" Lewis, Jr. officiating. Burial will be private. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the St. Monica's Building Fund, P.O. Box 2184, Hartford, CT 06145 or to the John E. Rogers African American Cultural Center Inc., c/o Hartford Preservation Alliance, 56 Arbor St., #406, Hartford, CT 06106. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.