A memorial will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015, 1:00 P.M., at St. John Episcopal Church, 17740 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill, CA with a reception at 88 Keys on 1295 E. Dunne at Murphy in Morgan Hill, CA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Remembering Dorothy Martin
The Music Lady
In loving memory of a long-time resident of Morgan Hill, Dorothy Martin died on Saturday, October 31, 2015. Dorothy was born on June 30, 1927 in Washington D.C.
At birth, she was adopted by Arthur and Agnes Thomas. Throughout her life she was eager to share experiences with others who had been adopted.
Dorothy was known as the Music Lady and Grandma D in the Morgan Hill Community. Her education and journey with music began as a child and capstoned at Julliard.
During World War II, Dorothy played for the troops at Walter Reed Hospital. Quoting Dorothy, “It was so fulfilling. I volunteered to play at chapel for boys who couldn’t walk – they were on gurneys.”
Her early career was playing in an all-female band, “The Mellodettes.” She and her fellow band players worked for William Harrah in Reno and Tahoe. For years, newspaper clippings from those times hung in her bathroom; quite an honor for a musician to have a bathroom notice. A life-long friendship developed with one of the players, Mary Hickman.
She and her husband, Dick Martin, founded Saratoga Music and Fine Arts Center and operated it for 22 years. At one point, it had an enrollment of 700 students and 30 teachers.
She gave private music lessons in Morgan Hill for 20 years. “I feel so blessed to be a teacher; I just love it.”
In recent years, Dorothy was part of a Whimsical Jazz Trio with Sandra Marlowe and Candace Fazzio, “The Committee.”
She was predeceased by her husband, G. Dick Martin and daughter Kriss Dunlap.
She is survived by her step-son, Craig Martin, daughters-in-law, Peggy Martin and Dianna Martin Orloff (Norm Orloff), and life-time friend/other daughter, Mary Belle Hickman Sullivan. Many grandchildren have survived her Dunlap Family: Jennifer, Becky, and Kerry; Martin Family: Hilary and Alyssa. Hickman-Sullivan Family: Teri and Jim. Dorothy was blessed to have many great-grandchildren.
During her illness, she had a family and community that provided loving care to her.
Dorothy Martin June 30, 1927 – October 31, 2015
