Sarah Clary Martin, M.D. left this world gracefully at her home in Napa, October 24, 2010, surrounded by her loving family.
Sarah Clary Martin was born to George and Pat Martin in Los Angeles, California, February 15, 1943. She lived most of her childhood in the old family house at 629 S. Grand Avenue in Pasadena. She attended Arroyo Seco Elementary School.
Sarah graduated from UCLA in 1967. She graduated at the top of her class from the UCLA School of Medicine in 1971, where she delivered the keynote address. She completed residencies at Harbor General Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County, California. To the benefit of countless children, she chose to specialize in Pediatrics.
Together with her beloved partner Kurt Stutzman (who preceded her in death), she gave birth to their dear daughter, Katherine Patricia Martin-Stutzman in 1985.
Dr. Martin had a long and interesting career as a physician. Before starting her own successful practice in Anchorage, Alaska, she worked in the Neonatology department at Oakland Children’s Hospital, and then took a position in the heart of Appalachia. In 1989, she moved to Napa, where she continued her career with Kaiser Permanente until her retirement in 2005. As a young woman, Sarah learned Spanish while living in Mexico. This allowed her to really connect with and serve the wide diversity of patients whom she cared for with expertise and love. Families would frequently run up to her with hugs, smiles, and updates when she was out in the community. Highlights from her Kaiser years involved the development of reading programs, childhood obesity awareness and prevention, and conducting workshops for Kaiser physicians on improving communication skills.
During her 34 years in Medicine, Dr. Martin was greatly inspired and moved to social action as she witnessed the difficulties of low-income families who often had to choose between buying medicine and food.
After she retired, she found a second calling as a facilitator for the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, a part of the Pachamama Alliance.
Sarah was committed to “Bringing forth an Environmentally Sustainable, Spiritually Fulfilling, and Socially Just Human Presence on this Planet.”
She traveled all over the US, Canada, and Mexico to share her passion for this work with hundreds of people.
Sarah was a lover of life. Her favorite place to be was outdoors; hiking, or walking with her standard poodle, Ghandi. Her knowledge of birds and flowers was endless! She had a serious interest in photography and, always adventurous, was taking a digital imaging class at Napa Valley College. She loved to play music and sing in her beautiful, clear soprano voice.
Sarah Clary Martin, M.D. will be greatly missed by her daughter, Katie, her brothers and their wives; Bill and Susan Martin, George and Kerry Martin, her nieces and nephews, along with a huge web of wonderful friends.
All are invited to a Celebration of Sarah’s life, Saturday, November 27 at 131 Valley Club Circle in Napa from 1-4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to The Pachamama Alliance, Jungle Mamas program or wherever you feel it will do the most good.
