Sally F. Martin

Sally Foote Martin, 73, passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. She was born to the late Robert and Lois Foote, August 21, 1939 in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts. She is survived by her husband Allan Martin, 73; her son, Thomas Martin, 42; her son Robert Martin, 40; and her daughter, Katherine McCoy, 38.

Sally’s life was rich and full of joy. She attended the Hyde elementary School in Newton Highlands and Weeks Junior High School in Newton Center. She met her husband, Allan, when they were both just 15 years old in their sophomore year at Newton High School in Newtonville, Massachusetts . Throughout high school Sally and Allan were a special pair. Sally was one of six school cheerleaders, a member of the National Honor Society, and at graduation, out of a class of 1,100 students, Sally was voted by the faculty as the outstanding girl student of the class of 1957.

Sally attended Connecticut College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in English, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a member of the Schwiff singing group, and Chief Justice of the Honor Court. Only a few short years after graduation, she found her true love – teaching. Sally began teaching at the age of 22 at Newton High School, but spent the majority of her career at Cape Elizabeth High School where she taught English from 1978 to 2000, and was head of the English department for the last years of her career. Sally touched the lives of thousands of students over a 30-year teaching career.

The most important part of Sally’s life was her family. Sally and Allan adopted their first son, Tom, six weeks after he was born on January 23, 1970. Their second son, Bob, was born on February 20, 1972, and their daughter Katie was born on November 9, 1973. The family of five moved to Cape Elizabeth when their kids were very young, and it was in Cape Elizabeth that she and her family spent most of their lives. At the time of her passing, Sally enjoyed her six grandchildren: Luke Martin, of her son Tom and Luke’s mother, Lucie Sholz; Mary Martin, age 9, and Hannah Martin, age 5, daughters of Bob and his wife, Emily; Sally McCoy, age 7, and Brady and William McCoy, ages 4 of their daughter Katie and her husband, Liam McCoy.

Cape Elizabeth – and the state of Maine - was Sally’s true home. They spent many winter weekends skiing at Sugarloaf, and often had the condo filled with friends and family during Christmas and February vacations. Many summer vacation weeks were spent at a family camp on Kezar Lake in western Maine near the White Mountains. There were other places that were very special to Sally as well: every year for 30 years, she and Allan would take a vacation to Bermuda, where they always stayed at the Southhampton Princess. They knew all of the staff at the hotel and surrounding clubs – it was like a second special home to Sally.

Sally’s life was full of creativity. In addition to teaching English, Sally was a busy volunteer, working on behalf of the Victoria Mansion in Portland as well as the Portland Symphony Orchestra. And, when she retired from teaching, Sally had the chance to write and publish a novel called the “Shape of Dark”, with the story taking place in fictitious “Cape Mariana” – a town all too similar to Cape Elizabeth, with characters that certainly bore resemblance to people in her life!

Her creativity and intellect seemed to shine the brightest as she went about her everyday life. She consumed and absorbed knowledge enthusiastically – she was seemingly unbeatable at both Trivial Pursuit and Jeopardy, even when her whole family would team up and try to beat her! She was a whiz at crossword puzzles, and loved needlepoint, doing more than 50 pillows that adorn her home. She was an accomplished piano player, and would play every Christmas Eve for her family and friends as carols were sung. And she loved to cook, always having a full meal on the table for her family at dinnertime after spending the whole day in the classroom.

Sally had a tremendously positive energy and outlook on life. Throughout her seventy-three years, Sally encountered numerous health challenges, but she rarely ever complained even when up against significant medical obstacles – all of which she faced head-on with a smile and an optimistic spirit.

In every way imaginable, Sally celebrated life. Her days were filled with love, happiness, and laughter. She will be missed by her husband, children, grandchildren and immediate family; her students and fellow teachers; her neighbors and friends, both through childhood and in her adult life.

A funeral service for Sally will be held on Friday October 5, 2012 at eleven thirty in the morning at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 143 State Street Portland, Maine 04101. Immediately following the service, the congregation is invited to attend a reception at the Portland Country Club, 11 Foreside Road, Falmouth Maine 04105.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U. S. Route One #1, Scarborough, Maine 04074. Arrangements are under the care of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral, Portland. Please visit www.jonesrichhutchins to sign Sally’s guestbook.