In tribute | We can’t know everything

“A single person is missing for you, and the whole world is empty.”

― Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking

||| FROM JOAN SULLIVAN |||

I have tried unsuccessfully to get the tears out of my eyes so I could act sensibly, write coherently. In the back of my mind are my dear friend, Martha Fuller’s endless words of encouragement, wisdom, and comfort. “Remember you are capable and significant. Even when it feels like you’re not.”

Recently asked to write something about herself, Martha composed a few simple phrases which I have taken the liberty of segmenting below in the hopes of capturing the spirit of this accomplished, vibrant, redhead who left us all too soon.

M: “Does not like being the center of attention.”
Endless effort, endless humility, endless modesty.

All the accolades, titles, and achievements were secondary to Martha’s commitment to mentoring and creating opportunities for women. Her leadership and ability to empower helped to eliminate stereotypes women have had to contend with across the business world.

Breaking barriers was nothing new to her; Martha quietly built an impressive resume’ with the humble focus of getting the job done. Her guidance and example inspired those around her; this was much more fulfilling than fueling her own ego.

I can attest, first-hand, that role models matter, particularly for women and more so in professional sports. Until our paths crossed in Seattle, female mentors or role models were virtually non-existent in my world.

“Lift as you climb” she reminded me. Words to live by.

For those of you wondering, Martha’s new gig comes with a huge martini sign-on bonus; unlimited vacation days; and a reunion with family, friends, and dogs she has not seen in quite some time. Kindness, laughter, and love are absolutely guaranteed.

M: “Loves to laugh.”
There are many things for which Martha will be remembered, but what I will never forget is her sense of humor. It was dry, like her martinis. This girl was a quick wit and had such a knack for coming up with smart banter on the fly.

On our many travels, the group all enjoyed her skill as a raconteur and keen ability to mimic many Saturday Night Live characters.

Martha recently became a huge fan of TikTok and hours were spent scrolling, attempting to outdo each other with the funniest, weirdest, or cutest video. She took particular delight in #spanielsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok and #whatintarnation.

Losing someone close is always a painful experience, but I recommend thinking of Martha’s smile and laugh; it exists outside of time. It heals.

M: “Loves to read.”
She was a book aficionado, a pop-culture encyclopedia and always the most fun person at any trivia night – if she was on your team!

Martha excelled at the NY Times Crossword Puzzle and completed many a ‘deck-lap’ after conquering Final Jeopardy – much to the frustration of numerous (so-called) well-read houseguests.

Driven by the learning process, Martha was an avid reader, so it should come as no surprise that the Orcas Public Library was a cause she cared deeply about. She also served on boards of the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Eastsound Planning Review Committee, San Juan Preservation Trust, and on the OPAL committee that developed a community loan fund to assist families secure affordable housing.

She was a generous soul, with a bright mind and a confident presence. Somewhere she is reading and playing Scrabble to her heart’s content.

M: “Loves to travel.”

Martha and Tim traveled extensively, sometimes with a diverse group of ragtag adventurers with unclear goals but very good hearts.

They traversed the streets of old town Singapore, ate chile lime tarantulas in Phnom Phen, climbed ruins in Siem Reap, and even watched the Super Bowl at 6 a.m. at a Hooters in Thailand. Paris was on their agenda, followed by wine tasting in Bergerac and Bordeaux. Then there were the music trips: an Eddie Vedder show in Dublin and Bruce Springsteen at the Garden; Italy – Milan, Lake Como south to Tuscany, Puglia, and over to the Amalfi Coast via a simulated Formula One race. Martha felt the greatest source of learning was the experiences which accompanied their travels.

Martha chose Mexico, La Paz in particular, for her last adventure.

La Paz is an unfussy city, set on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, two hours by car from Cabo but light years in feel. It’s a college town, which seems fitting since Martha grew up in Valparaiso, IN. The young, educated, population sets the tone for the vibe – lively and warm, yet still intimate. Martha enjoyed the sunshine, ocean air, topaz blue sea, along with the peace and friendliness she experienced in there.

Given her unlimited vacation days, Martha will be carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon, brightening the lives of those she meets along the way.

M: “Loves to cook.”
Martha had a life-long love affair with the creative and cultural aspects of cooking. Culinary experiences, cooking classes, winery tours, and market visits were interwoven with their travels.

Martha felt one of the best ways to immerse yourself in cultures and really experience local life is through food and tradition.

When they moved to Orcas full-time, Martha began pursuing the culinary arts, calling it a “really serious hobby.” She worked as a bartender and cook at the Lower Tavern and cherished the experience because she forged so many enduring friendships and connections in the Orcas community.

Up until a couple weeks ago, Martha had been recreating recipes from the Native Mexican Kitchen – A Journey Through Cuisines, Cultures, and Mezcal, written by her friend Noel Morales who we met at a cooking class in Todos Santos back in 2018.

There was no kitchen appliance in any language that could stop her fearless spirit.

M: “Loves dogs.”
Many of the qualities that seem to come so effortlessly to dogs – loyalty, devotion, selflessness, optimism, unqualified love – can be elusive to humans. Not to Martha.

Aside from Tim (well on most days), Martha’s springer spaniels Hunter and Rusty occupied a special place in her heart.

When we love someone, (whether human or dog), it’s comforting to know that they will always be with us – sometimes in intangible ways like sensations, moments, a butterfly, or a memory of small act of kindness.

M: “Prefers to work an event, rather than attend it.”
Those that have worked countless sports or entertainment events understand it is impossible to attend one, like a normal person.

Unbeknownst to many who knew her on the Island, Martha’s pre-Orcas career was one consisting of a vast legacy of high-profile jobs in professional sports and public service.
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The City of St Paul, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Wild, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Sounders all benefited from her business acumen where she piloted many a major venue opening or improvement. When she accepted an offer from Paul Allen, her career expanded further into the multiple sports franchises and entertainment properties in the Vulcan portfolio.

Martha’s principles, achievements, and philosophies will define her legacy and become etched into the minds of others whose lives she has touched.

We are all better for the trails she blazed.

M: “Tim is the love of her life.”
Tim and Martha met in a city council meeting in St. Paul. The newly hired Director of Finance could not stop looking at the fire chief, not because of his rugged good looks but because he was wearing what she thought were odd blue women’s reading glasses.

She admitted marrying the man of her dreams after “separating him from the herd” and in the process, breaking the hearts of many an accountant in the Twin Cities.

Clearly, a love story for the ages. I’m fairly certain it is impossible to imagine two people who complemented each other better than they did.

Life is special, but it is even more valuable when it is spent with those you love at every stage of your journey. I just wish we had more time.

Martha left behind a yellow notebook containing detailed directions for her husband Tim and a few close friends, noting that ‘low adherence to her instructions will not be tolerated.’

Please hold Martha close, as I do, in your mind and your spirit. Celebrate that extraordinary beauty of her simple human heart.

SEE ALSO: theorcasonian.com/in-memoriam-martha-fuller-1962-2021/