Carolyn Ann Martino

Carolyn Martino, 80, storyteller, spoken word artist, inspirational speaker, and humorist, born in Providence on February 19, 1942, died on January 27, 2023. Carolyn was known throughout New England and the greater storytelling community from “Maine to Miami” as one of the best professional performers to ever grace our stages at libraries, schools, and community festivals. She was a teller at the Johnnycake, Three Apples, Connecticut, Tellabration, RIBS & Friends, and FUNDAFest Storytelling festivals.

Carolyn was especially well known for her Christmas performance Uncracking the Nutcracker, her hilarious and unforgettable Turkey!, her Italian Evening of Delight, and finally her healing autobiographical Tale of Redemption: Masks. With her humor, honesty, perfect timing, delightful eye contact, and that simple raise of an eyebrow, she never failed to hold the audience in the palm of her hand and give them her all. This was her joy.

She hosted, for years in her home, The Little Rest Storytellers for the advancement of new tellers. Earlier she was part of the theater communities in Oregon and New York City. She had a BA and teaching certificate from RI, where she also taught English, and she did graduate work at the University of Oregon with her professor and lifelong friend Ronald Gloeker.

She is predeceased by her parents, her beloved father Michael Martino, and her mother Maritza Martino. She is survived by her most cherished "baby brothers" Joseph Martino of Massachusetts and Michael Martino of Rhode Island, whom she loved with all her heart, as well as Joseph’s lovely eternal-partner Sarah Barnes. Carolyn was a good daughter, sister, and friend.

Carolyn lived the last years of her life under the care of her dear friends Kiki and Katie Latimer; their entire family became Carolyn's extended family. To the teenagers of the family, Cameron, Jonathon, Connor, and younger Dylan, who took Carolyn under their wing, may you be graced for your friendship and care of Carolyn. Special thanks to close friends, especially Ann Salzarulo, Anne-Marie Forer, Scott Birtles, and Jean & Ken Bent for their great support during these last difficult years. To the storytelling community that prayed, visited, and sent your blessings, thank you.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Joseph’s Church, Hope Valley, RI, on Saturday February 18, 2023 at 12 noon, followed by a gathering at Kiki & Jim Latimer’s home at 5 Camp St, Hope Valley, RI. Burial will be private, at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, in April, when “spring crept over me windowsill”… and we can remember Carolyn singing “Aow, wouldn’t it be loverly?”

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