"Derek-Your entry was eloquent and your video clips were a true tribute to your grandmother. She spoke about everyone often through the years with such pride! Thank you for sharing some of your wonderful memories!"
In loving memory of
Nancy A. Martin
January 25, 1926 - January 7, 2012
Nancy A. Martin, 85 of Springhouse, died Thursday in the Abington Hospice at Warminster.
Born in Huntington, WV, she was the daughter of the late William and Grace (Nee White) Ayres. Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by her husband John E. Martin in 1984 and her son William M. in 1980.
She was a long time breeder and shower of Labrador retrievers for Ayre Labradors. She was the author of two books on Labradors, "Legends in Labradors" and "The Versatile Labrador Retriever." She was a founding member of the Waterland Retriever Club and long time national and international dog showing judge of Labrador Retrievers.
She is survived by her son John "Jack" Martin Jr. and his wife Melinda of Ambler and daughter Sandy Martin of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, Ross and Derek Martin, and 3 great grandchildren.
Services were private.
Remembrances in her name to Alzheimer's Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St. Suite 102, Phila, PA 19106 would be appreciated by the family.
Tributes
"What's a tribute to Nancy Martin (my grandmother, 'Nanny'), without showcasing the people whom she loved & who in return loved her dearly... Below is a clip of 'The Martins' in all their wacky family glory. About halfway thru Nancy & Ellie steal the show, as usualā?¦ they were quite the pair! I don't know if there ever was or will ever be another group quite like the Martins shown below. Everyone was so full of life & love, joy & comradery... They were loud & opinionated, contentious and hilariousā?¦ to a kid it was truly magical. I feel genuinely blessed to be able to call them my family and will love and cherish them all and the memories they gave me forever. So thank you for remembering my nanny and making her life that much more special and full of love. I hope you enjoy the videos below as much as I do...love, derek"
"Nancy--how we will miss you! Although our friendship began long before our move to Pennsylvania, Lynn and I will always remember with great fondness our three years in Pennsylvania when we lived within driving distance for dog training and socializing. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you on your last book."
"Thank you all so very much for your kind and loving thoughts for our beloved Mother. She loved her life of Labs with all her 'doggie friends'. The travels she made with all of you were the great times...thank you for inviting her to your homes. I know she really enjoyed your visits as well. You all were her rock at her most difficult times... with the lose of our Father, John, and our brother, Will. We will forever be grateful to you for holding her in such good stead."
"I have so many fond memories of Nancy - she was a real lady, a font of breed knowledge and wisdom delivered in such a kind and helpful manner. Nancy stayed with me and my parents when she came to GA to visit her racehorse "investments" and evaluated one of my first litters in the early 80's. I still recall sharing a room with her at MJLRC and we stayed up most of the night talking! Truly a privilege to call her a friend. "
"Jack & Sandy How lucky we all are to have been a part of your mothers life. She was an amazing human being with a heart of gold. I met Nancy at a show match with my first Labrador Stokely whos handler happened to do horrible in the ring-ME! She was kind enough to invite me over to her home to teach me the proper way to show. Our history together began that day! I then acquired a gorgeous chocolate male from a litter sired by Sam-my Marnie! From that point I think I was with your mom almost every weekend either at shows or training in the field. Nancy asked me to stay at the house with the dogs while she was away (usually judging) Her house was my home away from home..... What adventures we had, what stories we shared and Oh boy did we laugh! I never met anyone who could recite Julie Browns Directory like Nancy could. Shed leave me caring for multiple litters telling me to please not mix them up. Shes leave me caring for ducks in the yard knowing a fox lived next door. Shed call from Africa to tell me it was Fudges birthday and to please give her ice cream! We washed dogs, trained dogs, bred them and whelped them. Today I am feeling tears of sorrow and tears of happiness that she is no longer in pain and is reunited with your dad and Will, with Fudgie, Sam, Ovals, Tootsie, Cloudy, Sparky, LaLa, LuLu, Tiger, Annie & Humdinger. I will miss her but she left me with memories that will last a lifetime. Fondly,Sue"
"Nancy Martin was a legend in her own time, but she was as giving and humble as anyone could be. She was very funny and could say as much with her eyes as she did with her voice. She was a lady. Thank you Nancy for "Sam". Without him we would never have had Mandy, Queen of Dogs."
"Nancy was a person who personified the all the positive connotations of the word "lady". Her kindness, generosity and willingness to help those of us who came into the breed during her tenure as one of legends of the breed made her a beloved icon in Labradors. Nancy was truly on the of 'good' people in our sport. She will be greatly missed, but her values will live on in those who respected and admired her."
"I met met Nancy at Waterland and got a Labraodr ,Noah, from her. She took me under her wing and helped me so much. She treated me like family. She shared her knowledge and was such a humble woman. So many many wonderful and funny memories. She will be missed by so many of us."
"I met Nancy at a dog show in the early eighties. She was a gracious and kind lady who was always positive. I send heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Anne Mugglestone"
"Dear Jack and Sandy, Your Mom was admired by the entire Labrador Retriever community but to me she was also a friend who I shared years of fun with. Early on she invited me to join her Wednesday field training group and over the years we also managed to squeeze in dinners and plays when it was too cold to be working. My first trip to Crufts was with Nancy. She was the one who drove on the left side of the road and managed successfully to get around those tricky circles without harm. I even got her to spend a few hours shopping on that trip. Nancy guided me carefully into the Labrador world, welcoming me and introducing me to her fellow breeders many of who are now my friends thanks to your Mom. I will miss her. "
"Dear Sandy and Jack, It must be comforting to know your mother is at peace with your father and brother. Nancy was so kind to me when I started in Labradors in the 60s. It led to a great friendship and many wonderful dog trips and experiences. Her passion for Labradors gave her friends and travels all over the world. She was well liked and respected by all. Nancy was a great influence on Labrador breeders in our area . Nancy is greatly missed by many."
"I met Nancy in the 1970's at the Potomac show in Leesburg. She shared my love for chocolate labs and she was always gracious and kind to a newcomer to showing. She is truly a legend and will always have a special place in my heart. "
"My first chocolate was out of Nancy's CH. Great Scot of Ayre (1971). She was a great mentor, and talked me into becoming a judge to give back to the breed. She was first class. Years later we learned that we both loved tracking our family trees. Much loved"
"Dear Sandy and Jack Your Mom and I have been good friends since we both started in Labradors in the early sixties. We shared a lot of experiences, both in and out of dogs, some sad and some extraordinarily funny. The past few years have been difficult, especially for you and even more so for Nancy and if it's any comfort, you can be sure she'll be missed by many people and remembered the way she was, fun, stubborn, fair, and loyal among many other attributes. Martin joins me in extending sincere condolences and Sandy, when you can, please get in touch. Love, Julie Sturman"
"I met Nancy and John in 1969 (I was 13) - my parents and I were part of a smallish group of people traveling to shows in those days. After the judging we'd do tailgate picnics - more shows were benched back then some outside as well and we would stay for the day and socialize. Nancy and I became friends and I would visit and stay at her house from time to time - I loved being there. She was the most kind and gracious person I had ever met. Even after the loss of her son Will, which was so devastating - and would have turned many hearts to stone, Nancy remained sweet, kind and caring. In the 90's I wrote a book about Labs and she wrote the forward. I loved her dearly as all did and she will be missed by all. Her name is "A Legend In Labs" to Lab lovers new and old."
"I remember Mrs. Martin. I'm friends with Sandy and I used to visit her house, with the cool black Labs. My condolences to the Martin family and especially my friend Sandy."
"Nancy, you will be greatly missed in the Labrador world. I had known you since my childhood when you and my father were 2 of the founding members of the Waterland Retriever Club. Many of your dogs are in the pedigrees of my current Labradors. You were gracious, knowledgable, and always there to help the newcomers. A grand lady, for sure. The Labrador world mourns its loss. "
"My favorite memory of Nancy is the time we were at Kendall's house in Texas. Nancy and I had such a good time talking about the old times when she and my Mother were the only ones who were showing chocolate labradors. We laughed so hard and enjoyed the evening with good friends. "