On January 5, 2015, Martha Martin Chandler, passed peacefully in her sleep at the Duke Hospice-Hock Family Pavilion in Durham.
Martha was born on July 18, 1949 in Arlington, VA, to parents Raymond and Ermadene Martin. She moved to Durham, NC, where she attended Jordan High School and was accepted to UNC Chapel Hill graduating in 1971. During her junior year she studied abroad in Lyon, France and had many travel adventures including singing in a trio sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to promote cultural relations in France! 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' was a popular song. Martha formed strong and loving friendships with her UNC "Chicas" who meet for summer reunions.
After graduation she worked as a teacher in Pensacola, FL where she found the love of her life, John. They moved to New Bern, NC in 1978 and except for 8 years in Virginia have lived here ever since, Martha teaching both Kindergarten and 1st grade in Havelock. She was a dedicated teacher whose holiday songs were a great hit, and she was also a writer and member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Martha helped found the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in New Bern in 1995 and remained an active member and singing in the choir. She loved to travel especially to Europe. She made trips with the Chicas, her husband John, and fellow teachers. She was a great game player and puzzle solver and really enjoyed the card parties she hosted.
She is survived by loving husband, John; daughters, Kathryn Pink (Eric) of Durham, NC and Margaret Cain of Havelock, NC; brother, Ray Martin (Carol) of Cary NC; brother, Richard Martin (Mary Jim) of Key West, FL; four nieces and nephews, and five grandchildren.
A memorial service and reception will be held In New Bern, NC, Jan 31.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Cancer Research Institute or Duke Home Care and Hospice.
Updated: March 10, 2022
Curator: Ed Moore