MARTHA HEWITT de MEY

Martha Hewitt de MeyRenaissance woman Martha Hewitt de Mey passed away at home with her family beside her June 16, 2010, following a four year battle with breast cancer. She was 77. A resident of Fairfax, Ross and Mill Valley for 54 years, Martha was a thoroughly modern woman born 50 years too early. She embodied the term "Renaissance" and accomplished more than any casual friend would imagine. Martha was born at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio on November 16th, 1932, the daughter of the late Charles Frederic de Mey (Baron van der Mey von Alkmaar) of Louisville, Kentucky, and the late Amelia Webster Smith of Fall River, Massachusetts. She attended Upper Arlington High School through her junior year, and completed her college preparation at the Roedean School for Girls in Brighton, England. Her studies took her to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she received her bachelor's degree in 1954. Upon graduation, Martha moved to San Francisco where she met and married John Warner Clow, April 10, 1956. During their 26 years of marriage, Martha was the loving mother to five children, all of California - Eric deMey Clow of Los Altos Hills; Gregory Vincent Clow of Larkspur; Amelia Bayley (Clow) Moynihan of San Rafael; Guy Rowan Clow of Fairfax; and Louise Crankshaw (Clow) Birkenseer of Terra Linda. Their father, John W. Clow, 79, lives in Sonoma, California. Between them, "Grandma Marnie" is survived by nine grandchildren: Chase, John, Jacqueline, Reyna, Madeleine, Dylan, Ryan, Logan and Quinn. She was predeceased by her only sibling, Charles Frederic de Mey II, April 28, 2007. She leaves a sister-in-law, Lois Vollmer de Mey, and three nieces and nephews. Martha's life was sprinkled with great personal accomplishment. In 1954 she toured Europe with the Smith Chamber Singers, and was selected by Life Magazine as the subject for a photo essay covering her ascent of the 14,692 foot Matterhorn in Switzerland. In 1956 she became a certified pilot and soloed. In 1961 she was elected to the executive board of the Marin County Young Republicans. From 1960 to 1963 she served as the Marin County president of the Smith College alumni club. In 1969 she was the designer, architect and general contractor for her 7 bedroom, 4,700 square foot dream home in Ross. In 1970 she became a published author with the release of her science fiction novel, Starbreed. In 1976 she was a founder and performer for the Patriot Players acting troupe, as well as the Ross Valley Players located in the Marin Art & Garden Center. She designed and built the 1977 Ross School playground. In 1984 she discovered the personal computer, and began work as one of the first digital graphic designers and desktop publishers. In 1990 she was accepted into Mensa and listed in Who's Who of American Women. She was a die hard Star Trek fan and a dedicated Apple Computer customer, being one of the first to own an iPad. She loved to play piano, and is best remembered through her personal rendition of Debussy's "Claire de Lune." Over her last years it was difficult to find her without a book in her hand, or an architectural drawing open on her Macintosh. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. A private memorial service will be held at the Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, 2500 5th Avenue, San Rafael, California.