Surprise Party is a Birthday Wish Come True

Walking into a crowded gathering of friends and family who shouted “Surprise” upon her arrival to Martha Green’s Eating Room in Redlands on her 80th birthday was the second of two things Barbara Martin crossed off her ‘bucket list’ Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 25. The first of those two—riding in a limo—was crossed off just moments before, as Barbara arrived at the cozy eatery nestled in downtown Redlands in a long-stretch limousine, ushered into the restaurant to friends and family by her husband of 46 years, Roy, and two great-grandchildren for an afternoon Rustic Tea. “Happy birthday,” friends and family intimated as they pulled the longtime active community member in for hugs amongst a backdrop of tea and tea-pot décor in shades of blue. Several tables were set out, complete with goodies from flavored tea, to scones and sweet jam, and vegetable quiche. The matron of the day took her seat in the center of the gathering of friends—many of whom she has known for years and who have volunteered alongside her in their communities—next to her husband Roy and in front of a long table peppered with photographs of Barbara through the years and framed newspaper articles touting her contributions to the area. “She was the first Redlands police woman,” her granddaughter Cara Grimwood explained as guests gathered before the party began at 4 p.m. Born in Oak Park, Illinois on Feb. 25, 1934, the youngest of three, Barbara graduated high school in 1952 and moved to Palo Alto, where she studied at San Jose State University, her daughter, Cindy A. Post, explained. “She was really involved with the Girl Scouts and eventually she became a Girl Scout leader and went to summer camp, and that’s where she met my dad,” Post said. Gary Post worked for the Forestry Service at that time; he and Barbara married and started their family. When Gary, who served in the Air Force, was stationed in Japan, Barbara and her daughter Cindy stayed behind in California, where they lived with Gary’s parents in Yucaipa. Barbara eventually made history by becoming the first female police officer in the Redlands police department during this time. When daughter Cindy was 5 years old, Barbara and Gary went their separate ways, but that didn’t stop Barbara from pursuing her dreams. “She still had aspirations to be a policewoman,” Post said. Barbara started working as a deputy sheriff with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, becoming a matron in the jail. That was where she met her second husband, Roy Martin, who was then a sergeant stationed in Glen Helen with children of his own from a previous marriage, including Post’s step-sister, Sandra Coleman, who was in attendance at Tuesday’s party. “Sandy and I are the same age and we’ve all been together for over 40 years,” Post said. “We moved to Colton and we’ve been together ever since.” After retiring from her law career, Barbara found work with the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) as a librarian and later as a media specialist. She continues to be an active community member working to keep Grand Terrace, her city of residence, great, as well as the communities surrounding it, with a resume of volunteer work longer than her arm – a vintage article describing Barbara’s volunteer efforts was cut out and put on display at the party. The intimate tea-party was planned by Barbara’s family—“All the local grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be in attendance,” Coleman said—who utilized the help of Susie Willhide of Baskets Ahh.. La Cart in Grand Terrace to coordinate the event in the effort to make it one to remember for their beloved mother and grandmother. Memorable events and traditions are important to the family, explained granddaughter Cara Grimwood. “We have lunch with grandma and grandpa every Saturday at Panera,” she said as she bounced her 8-month old daughter, Ellie, on her hip. “They’re so special to us. We really want to thank Martha Greens and all the family and friends who are making this so special. My grandma deserves the best because she is the best.” Just before the celebration began, Post, Grimwood’s aunt, said, “We hope she (Barbara) knows how much we love her.”