Grace-Lynne Martin Ingle

INGLE, Martin Grace-Lynne


There is a new angel in heaven and she has perfect pitch. Grace-Lynne Martin
Ingle, 82, passed away peacefully, in her home of natural causes on February 11, 2012. Grace-Lynne "G.L." is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, John Houston Ingle, and by her five daughters: Jessica Pretkus, Jennifer Bandy, Carey Haynes, Melanie Nelson and Christina Ingle.

Grace-Lynne was born on July 16, 1929 in Pasadena, CA, and she has been a San Gabriel Valley resident all her life. At the early age of four, she crawled up onto the piano bench and began what would become a lifetime of making beautiful music. A true child prodigy, by the age of six, she was playing piano on the radio. But it was not until she began to sing, at the age of 16, that the world would begin to hear her true gift. Her crystal clear Soprano voice would lead her to world-wide acclaim. She was an early protégé of Igor Stravinsky, recording his works for both Columbia and Epic records. Her vocal talents lead to performances at New York's Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and concerts in both the US and Europe. She was a soloist at the Glendale Methodist Church for 13 years and began the music program at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. Grace-Lynne's warm and gentle nature brought her love of music and life to every environment she graced.

Equal to G.L.'s love of music, was her love of the ocean. Her happiest childhood memories were at the family beach house in Sunset Beach, shared with her brother Dr. Richard Martin, and his wife Peggy of Glendale, and her sister Faith Anne Martin Fischer and her recently deceased husband, Dr. Peter Fischer of Whittier. Grace-Lynne loved water, sand, sun and bare feet.

Amidst all her talents and many accomplishments, Grace-Lynne's greatest accomplishments began when she met her husband, John at Occidental College in 1949. They were "the beautiful couple", with John directing Grace-Lynne in school productions while their love for each other flourished. Together, they began to weave a tapestry that is today, their family. For 41 years, Grace-Lynne and John raised their five daughters in a loving home on Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena. It was a home full of music, children, laughter and friends. Grace-Lynne taught her daughters to be tolerant, open minded, hardworking women with a sense of adventure and love for life. When her family began to grow, making her a grandmother "Gainy" to Hillary, Andy, Johnny, Christopher, Kelly, Nicole, David, Henry and Maggie, she became the wise, yet fun grandmother. She taught all of her grandchildren how to sing, how to float on their backs in the ocean, and how to ride a boogie board. She taught them how to carry themselves with "grace". Most importantly, she taught all her children and her grandchildren how to give a proper hug. "You must wrap your arms tightly around the other person, stand close, and fill in all the empty space between you". As an angel, Grace-Lynne, Mom and Gainy will provide strength, guidance and wisdom to all of us, including her new great grand babies, Warren, Carson and Gianna. We will speak of Grace-Lynne, Mom, and Gainy often, and miss her daily.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly make donations to The Smile Train foundation, www.smiletrain.org in her name. The family plans for a private service in the weeks to follow.