Martha Maynard Obituary

Martha Eulalie Parish Maynard WASHINGTON, DC - After a brief and unexpected illness, Martha peacefully passed away on Sunday morning, December 6, 2009. The good news is that she is taking with her amazing memories from her friendships and family in what could only be described as an incredible journey through life. From her childhood in Charleston, SC; to the births of her two sons in Annapolis, MD; to Chesapeake, VA, where she raised her family with her husband Tom; to living her retirement dream in North Myrtle Beach, SC; to Washington, DC, where she wrote her brief and final chapter in life at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Martha dearly loved her friends and family, and she was never lacking in either. After the original love of her life, her first husband Tom Maynard, passed away, Martha found love again with Tom Tobey, who breathed new life into her. His name was fortuitous, she never had to worry about calling her husband the wrong name. In fact, given that her older son was named Tom, among the four men in her life (Tom, Tom, Tom, and Mark), Martha had a 3 in 4 chance of getting their names right when she called them. Her sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and Lynn, and Mark and Lisa, along with a plethora of grand-dogs and cats, as well as her two grandsons, Jordan and Tye, provided ample opportunities for her to keep giving, loving, and creating new tales to tell. Martha was a card, full of stories, jokes, and special memories. A veteran of WWII, Martha was a world traveler who never met a stranger. While in Chesapeake, Martha was active in the Eastern Star and National Secretaries Association, among many other groups, and attained high office and many awards. She was a perennial chaperone at the Miss South Carolina pageants, active in her local Waves association, and a much sought after public speaker at her myriad of club events. An enthusiastic Risen Christ Lutheran Church member in North Myrtle Beach, Martha was actively involved in their LWML. She also was a member of the Grand Strand Retirement Club, NARFE, NMB and MB Pilot Clubs. Needless to say, in the 28 years she spent in the Grand Strand, she touched many lives, and made countless loving friends who were there for her during the happy and sad times. And, although she was only at the AFRH for a little over a year, she continued to connect with people in ways that only Martha could. Recently, she kindled some new and beautiful relationships that ended too soon. In that spirit, we will celebrate her journey through life during two services. The first will be held on Sunday, December 13, at 1:30 PM at the Risen Christ Lutheran Church, 10595 North Kings Highway (Highway 17 North), North Myrtle Beach, SC, 29572. The second service will take place on Saturday, December 19, at 10 AM in the Chapel at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, 3700 N. Capitol Street, Washington DC, 20011. Receptions will follow each service. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in her honor to the Risen Christ Church in North Myrtle Beach, the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC, or to the charity of your choice to keep her generous spirit alive. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths