Ernestina Marta Misrachi Martin

Tina Martin peacefully passed away at her home in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 21, 2024, at 93 years of age.

She was born 1931 in Mexico City to Alberto Misrachi and Anna Arouesty de Misrachi. 

Among the many from the Sephardic Jewish community in Macedonia, Tina’s parents emigrated from Monastir to Mexico in 1917.  Tina grew up in Mexico City, where her father founded Galería Misrachi in the Centro Historico neighborhood. Alberto’s bookstore and art gallery was an active hub for emerging Mexican artists, literary figures and cultural events.

In her early 20’s, Tina moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.  In New York she met her first husband, Arch Huegley.  Tina and Arch returned to Mexico City where she had her first son, Conrad.  They later moved to Salt Lake City, where they became involved in the theater community at the University of Utah and together taught a drama course.  Arch passed away from a serious illness in 1957.  Tina then married Robert Martin. They lived in Philadelphia and Salt Lake City and had three children, Anna Jo, Susie and Sean.  

After divorcing in 1976, Tina returned to the University of Utah to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Master’s degree in Social Work. There, she was actively involved in the Women’s Resource Center, where she made many life-long friends while counseling students, championing women’s rights and supporting many progressive social justice causes. 

Tina was part of a Utah delegation participating in two UN World Conferences on Women, the first in 1975 in Mexico City and one in 1985 in Nairobi.   Tina then opened her practice as a licensed clinical social worker and counseled private clients until her retirement.

Tina surrounded herself in art and cherished her family and many friends. She loved hosting gatherings with friends and colleagues at her beautiful homes over the years – always preparing delicious meals from her favorite family recipes for many memorable celebrations and festive get-togethers. Friends would often stay late in the evening, laughing and talking for hours and hours.

In her book, “My Father Alberto Misrachi”,  Tina gracefully shares many wonderful stories of her father, mother, and sisters’ experiences growing up in the heart of Mexico’s art and cultural communities.

Tina was an avid reader and loved solving NY Times crossword puzzles, watching old movie classics and playing scrabble, gin rummy and bridge.  

 A special thanks to her daughter Susie, who dedicated many years caring for Tina so she could remain in her much-loved home.  And to the many caring aides who spent quality time by her side in her later years.

Preceded in death by sisters Aline Soni, Ruth Davidoff and niece Aline Davidoff.  Survived by children Conrad, Anna Jo, Susie and Sean, and by nieces and nephews in Boston, Mexico City, London and Toronto. 

Tina will be dearly remembered as always cheerful and so happy to see friends and family.  In her later years Tina would often kindheartedly muse: “Remember, old age is not for sissies.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Planned Parenthood Association of Utah.  A Celebration of Tina’s life will be held at a later date.