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gold medal. In the 250-meter, they came
in 2nd to win the silver medal.
Though not participating in an Olym-
pian competition, Marty and her team
stayed in Olympic Village in Rome along
with teams from all over the world.
Every night, medals were awarded,
jerseys and other mementos swapped,
questions asked and answers given. So
many diverse cultures, yet the playing
field was level; all athletes were equal.
Imagine that.
Her first World Master’s Rowing Com-
petition was held in New Jersey in 2006.
Rowing over 1,000 meters, her team
earned a 3rd place medal.
(By the way, Austin hosts a Dragon Boat
Festival at Lady Bird Lake each year in
the spring―google it if you’re interested.)
Making a difference
A very proud moment for Marty was
when she was appointed Vice Commo-
dore of the Schuylkill Navy, the third
woman in 154 years to be so honored.
This position gave her an opportunity
to make a difference in her rowing com-
munity, and in more ways than one.
She is (yes, still is) the force behind the
building of a community boat house in
Philadelphia that will open to the public
in 2016. At that time, anyone in Phila-
delphia from the age of 14 may kayak
or canoe and have a home base to store
equipment. At last count, 25 dragon boat
teams will be housed there. Thanks to
Marty’s efforts, it’s a win-win situation
for boaters and for Philadelphia.
Removing a picture of women in pink
jerseys from her refrigerator door, Marty
told how she organized the first “Row
for the Cure” in Philadelphia, raising
over $25,000 for breast cancer research.
I know Marty because she is a hard-
working member of the Solos Club, and
to know her is to understand that life
is a passionate journey, not to be taken
lightly. When she commits to something,
she goes at it with a vengeance. She puts
her “all” into it.
A life for living
Here, we’ll end with a great story. One
day, Marty showed up at the dock wear-
ing her usual workday attire. Her team
requested that she traverse the boat from
front to back between 20 seated rowers
without breaking their rhythm. In heels,
hose and suit, she did it perfectly, never
losing balance, never touching one per-
son. Yet, back on land, with Marty walk-
ing backwards while joking and laugh-
ing about her very fine performance, her
team deliberately allowed her to walk
straight off the end of the pier and plunge
into the cold Schuylkill River, suit, heels,
and all. She pretty much thinks all of
life is given for a purpose, not the least
of which is to have fun!
Marty is still drawn to the water, still
thrills at the sight of a boat and the feel
of the oars. For two years after retiring
from competition, she would row from
6-12 miles every day to keep her skills
sharp; but, now, the water beckons most-
ly for pleasure. Her competitive spirit
is limited to playing golf, tennis, and
pickleball in Sun City Texas, and she
also sings in a premier women’s choir
in Austin.
Marty has more energy than 10 active
people put together―you’re a hard one
to beat, my friend!
