||| FROM TIM FULLER |||
On May 5, Martha Fuller, of Orcas Island, passed away peacefully in La Paz, Mexico where she and her husband, Tim, were spending the winter months.
Though diagnosed with severe liver disease in late 2020, she continued to be kind, generous, witty, courageous and funny till the very end.
Martha was born and raised in Northeastern Indiana and left to attend Drake University where she graduated summa cum laude. From there she began her career in finance becoming the Director of Finance for the City of St. Paul, MN and subsequently was appointed that city’s Director of Planning and Economic Development.
While in St. Paul, Martha was hired by the Minnesota Wild of the NHL to be the team’s Chief Financial Officer and went on to become the CFO of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), as well as the CFO of Vulcan Inc. (Paul Allen’s holding company). The world of professional sports beckoned again and she was hired to be a senior vice president and CFO of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa, FL.
Martha and Tim purchased a home on Orcas Island in 2006 spending weekends and holidays here until becoming full-time residents in 2014. Martha very quickly became involved in the Orcas community serving on the boards of the Orcas Island Community Foundation, the Orcas Public Library, the San Juan Preservation Trust, and as a member of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee and on the OPAL Community Land Trust working group that developed a community loan fund for people seeking affordable housing on the island.
Her last career choice took many by surprise, but not for those who knew her well, as a vibrant, smart, unselfish, hardworking and caring human being. She applied for, and was hired to be a prep cook, server, bartender at the popular Lower Tavern in Eastsound, Orcas Island. “Why?” the owner asked during her interview with him suggesting she was over-qualified. She responded she certainly was not over-qualified, “I’ve never worked in a tavern kitchen!”
But what Martha found most rewarding was to be a role model and mentor to young women in the corporate world. As one of those young women said upon learning of Martha’s death, “Martha was one of the most influential people in my life. She had a way of making a person feel bigger than they assumed they could be. She taught me that empowering those around you is so much more fulfilling than feeding your own ego. She made me feel valued, smart and like I was a special friend.”
In remembrance of Martha Fuller, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
SEE ALSO: theorcasonian.com/in-tribute-we-cant-know-everything/
I’ll say it. Martha was a force of nature. Not like a hurricane. But like that cooling storm that comes through and puts out a wild fire. She was a problem solver. She had a heat seeking radar for bullshit. Martha had a great sense of humor and the best head of hair that I have been blessed to know.
I wrote a movie about Gilda Radner. And when I interviewed one of her best friends she told me that Gilda had a home in France. And stayed there a lot at the end of her life. She then said as far as she was concerned Gilda had not passed. She was just living in France and had forgotten to write a postcard in a very long time.
Martha you don’t have to send a postcard. Enjoy the beach. Love and hugs to Tim.
Dear Tim,
I didn’t know Martha, but was moved by your beautiful tribute.
I love that– after a very high profile career– Martha opted to work at the Lower. Though my husband David and I are frequent patrons of the Lower, I don’t believe we met Martha. I am very sorry our paths didn’t cross… I would have loved to have known her.
With kind regards,
Leslie in Olga.
She really was as lovely as everyone says and I was glad to have a chance to dine with her occasionally. So sorry for her loss.
Martha left this earth with the same grace and dignity she lived. In more ways than I can count I feel both blessed by knowing her and robbed by her death. Once you became Martha’s friend, she enveloped you in her graciousness. Martha and I knew each other less than a year when Martha and Tim organized and hosted a 60th birthday party for me at their house. Who does such a thing? Martha Fuller. Martha was a such a draw to the Lower Tavern after her shift. Spending time in conversation with her was such a joy. You always left the tavern laughing in retrospect from a Martha-ism. Martha was just damn funny in unexpected ways. Few people had such quick wit without being degrading of others. Martha respected everyone and all respected Martha. Her husband, Tim and I are Fire Commissioners for OIFR. Martha would listen to Tim and I discuss fire department trial and tribulations and Martha would provide input. Tim and I would look at each other and say, “why didn’t we think of that?” Martha was that smart and her life’s accomplishments show how smart of a woman she was. How vital she was to any organization savvy enough to employ her. Orcas Island will be a lonelier place without Martha Fuller, but I am nothing but blessed and privileged to have been a small part of her life, may you be in a better place. Peace, love and healing to my friend and her devoted husband Tim.
well said
Martha.
I am at a loss for words. She was one of the most supportive, smart, funny and wonderful people I have ever met in my life. She will no doubt live on in all of us who had the joy of her company. I know her infectious laughter and brilliant wit will be with me forever. My heart goes out to Tim and everyone who loved her.