Martha (Marty) Carson: Volunteer, adult educator, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother

Martha J. Hall-Carson, a long-time Claremont resident, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025 with family by her side; she was 98 years old. Marty was born in 1927 in Cambridge, Ohio, to Harold and Alma Hall, a school principal and homemaker. Although she was an only child, Marty grew up with dozens of cousins, aunts, and uncles. After graduating from Cambridge High School in 1945, she went on to Ohio’s Muskingum College, and then earned a Masters degree in religious education from Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary.

After graduating from Seminary, Marty served for 10 years as the Director of Christian Education for the First Presbyterian Church of Norman, Oklahoma, where she met her husband, Jerry Carson. They married in 1959 and began a family, moving to Pomona in 1962, and then Claremont. She became an active member of the Claremont Friends Meeting (Quakers) in 1965 and remained a practicing Quaker for the rest of her life.

While her children were in school, Marty volunteered untold hours in their classrooms. She served on many community committees, including the Claremont Interfaith Council and PFLAG. Once her kids were grown, she worked for 10 years as Director of the Lodge for Pilgrim Place and the Claremont Manor. Upon retirement, she taught for 15 years for Mt. San Antonio College, presenting movement and enrichment courses in retirement homes from Claremont to San Dimas.

Her family’s favorite memories include watching her enjoy a juicy hamburger, listening to NPR together, and reading late into the wee hours.

Marty is survived by three of her children: Krista Carson Elhai (Philip) of Claremont, Marka Carson (Brian) of Claremont, Dov Carson (Michele) of Santa Monica; grandchildren Lindsey Elhai, Dylan Elhai, Noah Elhai, and Kyle (Bella) Carson, and brand new great granddaughter Violet Carson. She was predeceased by her son, Kurt Carson, and her ex-husband, Jerry Carson.

The family is very thankful to Marty’s friends Jan and Mary, Veronica at Sunrise Claremont, and Vickii, Pricilla, and the staff at Gold Medal for their wonderful caregiving during the last few years.

A service will be scheduled at the Claremont Friends Meeting in future months.