A YOUNG Portadown woman has died unexpectedly in her sleep.
Janet Elizabeth (Jan) Martin had been ill for some time, but her illness was not thought to be life-threatening and her death has come as a profound shock to her family and friends.
Originally from Old Rectory Park in Portadown, Jan (37) had lived i
n Carrickfergus during the past few years. Her mother, Mrs Mary Martin, cared for her during the week and discovered her dead in bed.
As well as her mother, she is survived by her father Kenneth, sister Judith Linton, brother-in-law David and nieces Melanie and Myia. Her parents are well known as tireless workers for the Child Evangelism Fellowship and the family are devoted members of Portadown (Thomas Street) Baptist Church.
Jan began her education at Millington Nursery and Primary Schools and went on to Clounagh Junior High and Portadown College where her Christian ethos prompted her to become involved in the school's Cancer Research Youth Action Group. She was chairman of the group for a year, and during her time with them, they raised £11,000 for the charity.
This included a well-attended fashion show at Portadown Town Hall where TV personality Linda Bryans acted as commere and staff members of the College modelled the clothes.
From Portadown College, Jan moved to Queen's University, Belfast, where she graduated in 1990 in IT and Psychology, followed by a post-graduation managerial course at Antrim College of Further Education.
She had a deep interest in film and the media, and her first job was with an independent film production company in Belfast, after which she was appointed head of training at the Northern Ireland Film Commission.
But because of ill health - she had contracted the debilitating ME condition - she had to quit her post in 2004. But she still managed to qualify as a teacher of media studies and began a PhD course in 2006, which she had to abandon due to her ill health.
Throughout her life, she retained her ties with Portadown, through friends, family and the Baptist Church where she had been closely involved in youth work.
Pastor Clifford Morrison, who recently moved to Carr Baptist Church in Lisburn, returned to Portadown to conduct the funeral service in the family church.
The reading was by Debra Martin (no relation to the deceased) and the soloist was Angela McKee. The service included the hymns 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus', 'Abba Father' and 'I Have a Shepherd'. Her father, Mr Kenneth Martin, paid a glowing tribute to his daughter.
Interment was at the family plot at Annaghmore Parish Church.
