Nancy Stearns Martin

Nancy Stearns Martin April 25, 1935 January 25, 2012 Windham- Nancy Stearns Martin died January 25, 2012 following several years of residency at Brentwood Manor, Yarmouth, ME. Nancy was born in Rumford, Maine, April 25, 1935, a daughter of Walter Joshua and Barbara (Fife) Stearns, both deceased. She was a graduate of Stephens High School in Rumford and Sargent College, Boston University with a B.S. degree as a Physical Therapist. Her brother William F. Stearns predeceased her in May 2010. His wife, Fern, lives in Orland, ME. Her younger sister, Carol Stearns Clement resides in Spruce Head, ME. Her nieces and nephews are Kathryn Stearns Friday of Hilo, HI, David Stearns of Blue Hill, ME, Laurie Stearns of Brunswick, ME, Alan Stearns of Hallowell, ME, Andrew Clement of Rockport, ME, and Barbara Clement Emery of Anchorage, AK. Nancy paid particular attention and caring to her extended family, especially her maternal aunt, Janet Fife Hawkes, of Kennebunk, ME and Charles Stearns of East Longmeadow, Mass. She married Francis ""Sandy"" Martin in 1983 in Westbrook, ME. They resided in Windham, ME for 25 years. Sandy continues to live in their much loved home. Besides her devoted husband, she leaves two stepchildren, James Martin of Durham, ME, Bethany Martin of Cleveland, TN and three grandchildren. Nancy worked at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio and Canton, Mass. at the height of the polio epidemic in the late 1950's until she moved to Portland, Maine in 1965. She was employed by Maine Medical Center for 33 years. When she started work at MMC there were only four physical therapists in the department. Upon retirement the department had grown to 44 therapists. Colleagues that worked with her throughout her career remember her with affection and respect. She was instrumental in developing and promoting the idea of Maine Handicapped Skiing. As an outreach of her physical therapy training and work, Nancy continued the support of this organization into her retirement life. Nancy and Sandy owned Lincoln Canoe & Kayak of Freeport, ME for 20 years. She and her husband have been avid antique car enthusiasts. She especially enjoyed outings together with Sandy at antique car gatherings and Canoe/Kayak Symposiums and events. She enjoyed knitting. There was a time when all her siblings, nephews and nieces wore sweater jackets knitted by Nancy. She loved time spent at her summer camp at Worthley Pond at East Peru, ME with her husband and generously shared it with her siblings and their families for vacation times. This was her parent's family camp from the late 1930's and very special to all of us. There are no visiting hours. A memorial gathering will be held for family and friends in the spring. Nancy will be buried in the Stearns Family plot at the Highland Cemetery, Rogers Road, Kittery, Maine. Arrangements are by Independent Death Care, Portland. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to the obituaries page at www.independentdeathcare.com In lieu of flowers, those desiring may contribute in her memory to: a€¢ Maine Handicapped Skiing, 8 Sundance Lane, Newry, ME 04261

Nancy Stearns Martin

April 25, 1935 - January 25, 2012

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