Martha (Martie) Rubin is the newly elected town clerk in Woodson Falls. She grew up in the town, moving to the west coast after marrying Isaac Rubin, who she met in college. Five years later, the childless couple split after Martie caught Isaac in multiple infidelities. Moving back to the warmth and familiarity of Woodson Falls, Martie purchased a small antique house with a portion of her divorce settlement, content to live alone with her two cats, Mindy and Moe.
When a special election for the office of town clerk was called due to the sudden resignation of long-time clerk Mildred Pearson, Martie threw her hat in the ring, eking out a win against Patty Truscott, Pearson’s long-time clerk.
Martie wears her dark brown hair parted in the center and caught in a bun that rests on the nape of her neck. Her blue eyes are startling in contrast with her porcelain skin. She wears little makeup—just a touch of lipstick. Slim, tall and self-contained, Martie dresses simply in skirt or slacks topped with a turtleneck sweater or blouse and scarf, both serving to hide the tracheostomy scar that saved her life when she attempted suicide.
Martie is intelligent, dedicated and organized. After a rocky start catching up on long-deferred filings neglected by the previous clerk and her assistant, Martie has turned the town clerk’s office into a finely tuned machine. Her outgoing friendly smile and matter belie her studied effort to appear like a old maid. Townspeople and others who deal with this office are delighted with the turn-around in tone and operation of this vital town operation, ensuring Martie’s continued reelection to the post.