Marta Joanna Hamlyn passed away on March 31, 2021.  Marta was born in Panama City, Panama on May 11, 1949.  She was the first-born child of Edwin E. Hamlyn and Mary Jane Hamlyn.  Marta’s parents returned to the States when Marta was two years old, and El Paso was Marta’s home for the remainder of her life.  Marta attended Mesita Grade School and El Paso High School.  She graduated from El Paso High School in 1969.  Marta never married and had no children.  Because she had limited capabilities, she continued living with her parents, losing her father in 1986 and her mother in 2012.  Thereafter, her brother moved into the house and acted as her caregiver.  While Marta never had any formal employment, she worked as a volunteer for the El Paso Public Library and later, for more than 10-years, as a volunteer for the YWCA.  In her later life, Marta exerted her independence.  She mastered the bus system and went on shopping excursions, unaccompanied.  She kept active in exercise classes at the Life Care Center and later at EP Fitness.  She especially enjoyed having lunch and playing bingo at the Polly Harris Senior Center where she developed friendships, and she longed for the time when the pandemic would end and she could resume this activity.   Marta was a simple and caring person.  She was a kind person.  She loved animals, family, and her few friends.  She had a remarkable memory of events that occurred in her early life and a keen interest in her family history.  She was deeply religious.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and formed friendships with several congregants of the church.  One of these congregants in particular, Ms. Linda Chaumont, was one of her closest friends.  Also important in Marta’s life was her ex-Sister-in-Law, Deborah Hamlyn, who remained close to her and assisted her in numerous ways.  Marta was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her brother, Ed Hamlyn, and her nephew, Geoffrey S. Hamlyn. 

Memorial contributions may be given to Zion Lutheran Church or a favorite charity. 

Marta’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 6^th at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 2800 Pershing Drive.  For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed online at https://zionelpaso.org/martahamlyn/.