In 1935, she graduated from Fort Kent Normal School and later earned her Bachelors Degree from Gorham State Teachers College. She taught the children of this community for 40 years, retiring in 1975. Her commitment to her profession and especially to the numerous first and second graders she taught was evident in her loving and caring attitude for these students. Martine's attendance was exemplary; she missed only one day of school throughout her teaching career. Marine was inducted into the MSAD No. 24 Hall of Fame in 1992.

During 25 of these 40 years, for many of which she received no reimbursement for her time, Martine was also the librian of the Van Buren Town Library. Throughout these years and up until the time the community built the current Abel J. Morneault Memorial Library, Martine kept the town's library opened afternoons, evenings, and on Saturdays. Martine brought with her the same dedication she gave to her teaching career. Her goal was always to increase the number of books available to the community, which was no small feat considering the meager budget alloted to her. Her love of learning, along with her goal to increase other's knowledge through books, is evident even today, just by walking through her home. The community's commitment to this library would not have been possible without Martine's total dedication and hard work, as well as the dedication of the Van Buren Rotary Club, whose membership worked so diligently.

Another area of this community where Martine gave so unselfishly of her time, energy and talent was her involvement with our Living Heritage Society. She was one fo the major founders of the Acadian Village. With strong determination and countless hours of work, Martine was instrumental in achieving her dream of the Acadian Village. Her knowledge of the history of our ancestors made her a natural as a tour guide at the Village. She always made it a priority to show visitors around or to donate her time traveling extensively around The County, representing Van Buren's Living Heritage Society.

Her love of and pride in her Acadian heritage are shared in the two books that she published. The first is a pictorial history of Van Buren which she published in 1981. "The History of Van Buren," co-authored with her cousin, Monica D. Ferretti, was her second. Martine also compiled the "Van Buren Centennial," which commemorated the community's centennial celebration in 1981, and she also helped to write one of the Pelletier Family Books.

And lastly, to share just how caring a person and a true genealogist Martine is, she has always opened her home to everyone looking to trace their Acadian roots. Her research took her into the records of every rectory and cemetery on both sides of the St. John River. People from all over the country have sat a Martine's dining room table and made use of the extensive research material she had compiled over the years. Town officials as well as parish priests frequently referred people looking for genealogical information to her.

With the dedication of the Martine A. Pelletier Special Collection Room at the Abel J. Morneault Memorial Library, history and genealogy buffs can continue to make use of all the research materials which Martine carefully collected, organized and catalogued throughout the years.

In recognition of a lifetime of absolute dedication and immeasurable service to the Town of Van Buren as an Author, Scholor, Teacher, Genealogist and Librarian; we take great pride in her commitment to our community and its people. You are truly an inspiration to our town.

With Grateful Thanks.