Claudia Jean Martin of Provincetown died on May 1, 2020, after a brief illness, following a stay at Bourne Manor for rehabilitation. She was 74.
She was born in Provincetown, daughter of the late Manuel R. and Anna Theresa (Tarvis) Martin. Her maternal grandparents were Joseph “Sou’West” Tarvis and Mary Gomes, who migrated from Portugal to start a life for their family in America, eventually calling Provincetown home. Her paternal grandparents were Myron and Francesca Martin from the Azores. Upon arriving in America, they settled in Oak Bluffs, and later, Fall River.
After graduating from Provincetown High School, Class of 1965, Claudia went to hairdressing school, earned her license, and opened Pisces Beauty Parlor at 250 Commercial St., following in the footsteps of her Aunt Josette Enos. When Josette retired, Claudia happily added her customers to her own clients.
She lived for most of her life in the home on Winslow Street that her father had built.
Claudia was an old soul and loved to be with people. She especially loved playing bingo and the lottery, always keeping her numbers secret, and going on bus trips. Among her special talents were knitting and crocheting. It was easy to spot Claudia walking down the street with a bag full of yarn and needles. When she got to her destination, she would take out her project and work on it. Some never got done, but they had some mileage behind them.
Claudia was a parishioner of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown. She sang in the choir and was involved in church functions while she was still able to do so.
She had many friends, including Stuard Derrick, who wrote this week, “Anyone who knew this dear woman couldn’t help but love her. She always had a big smile and everyone waved to her [in] her living room picture window when they passed by. She didn’t miss anything: I called her the ‘Mayor of Winslow Street.’ Claudia was one of a vanishing breed: Provincetown’s connection to its historic fishing and Portuguese past. She was tough like those dear elderly Portuguese ladies had to be and she loved a great dirty joke and had an infectious laugh. She knew everyone in town and could rattle off the Portuguese residents by name and their ancestry….”
She loved her kitty, Lily, who was her company and her comfort.
Claudia is survived by her first cousins, Custodio Silva Sr. of North Truro, Marian Michalski of Florida, Cynthia Morgan of Dartmouth, and Richard Martin of Florida. She was close to her godchild Brianna LePage, with whom she would confide her closest secrets with a twinkle in her eye and a shake of the finger. She is also survived by several generations of cousins, many from out of town, who would visit her, much to her delight.
Due to the health crisis and resulting government restrictions, Claudia’s visitation and funeral Mass will be postponed until it is deemed safe. Burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery will be private.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit the online guest book at gatelyfuneralservice.com.
