Nancy Martin

"Nancy Walker Martin, 77, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, December 29, 2022.

Nancy was born on September 9, 1945, to Charles and Kathleen Walker in Fort Eustis, VA. She grew up in Forest Hill, MD before settling down in Ocean Twp., NJ where she lived for over 50 years.

 Nancy attended St. Margaret’s Parochial School in Bel Air, MD and later graduated from Bel Air High School in 1963. She went on to earn her degree in secondary education from Towson State College in 1967. After college, Nancy went on to pursue a career as a high school social studies teacher for the Harford County Public School System at Edgewood High School, MD. She would eventually go on to marry her college sweetheart, James R. Saxon, in 1970 and then follow him on a cross-country move to Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA.

 After James R. Saxon lost his life in Vietnam, Nancy would move on and take an administrative assistant position at Monmouth College in West Long Branch, NJ. It is there that she would meet and marry John H. Martin in 1972.

 The couple would go on and raise their three children (Kevin, Patrick, and Carey) in the quiet neighborhood community of Colonial Terrace, located in Ocean Township, NJ. During that time, Nancy was primarily a caring stay-at-home mother. However, she would also take on part-time positions as a sales associate for Bamberger’s, training manager for Macy’s, and a paralegal for the law office of George Cieri, Attorney at law. Ultimately, Nancy would resume her passion for teaching by returning as a full-time substitute teacher in both Long Branch and Ocean Twp., NJ.

 Nancy enjoyed a wide variety of activities. One of her most loved hobbies was gardening. She took great pride and joy watching her tulips, roses, or any of her perennial flowers pop into full bloom. Nancy embraced all holidays but by far, her most favorite time of year was the Christmas season. During that time, she could be found in her kitchen baking delicious treats (mostly cookies and apple cake) and creating her home into a Christmas wonderland.

Nancy spent a lot of her leisure time reading, solving crossword puzzles, and listening to music. You could often find her reading the morning newspaper with an oldies station playing softly in the background. In the evening, she would immerse herself into a history or mystery novel. Always a diet Pepsi and snack were close at hand.

 Nancy’s greatest joy in life was spending precious time with family and friends and sharing her love with all of them. To her, friends were always considered family, and family meant everything to her. Nancy was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, aunt, grandmother, and best friend for many. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

 Nancy was predeceased by her father, Charles H. Walker, her mother Kathleen C. Walker, her brother Charles H. Walker Jr., her nephew Nathan J. Fielder, and sister Mary Beth Walker-Johnson. Nancy is survived by her former husband John H. Martin and her three children, J. Kevin Martin (partner Meredith Monroe), Patrick C. Martin (Wife Tanya Martin), and Carey Dickerson (Husband Jeremy Dickerson) and her beloved grandson Charlie J. Dickerson.

 She is also survived by her sister (Patricia W. Fielder and her husband James D. Fielder). Nancy leaves behind her four brothers, (Richard C. Walker- Michael C. Walker and his wife Betty- Robert K. Walker and his wife Elaine- John J. Walker and his wife Leslie), her sister-in-law (Kathleen M. Kirchner and her husband Scott), along with several nieces and nephews; James D. Fielder III, Emily W. Dennis, Ian C. Walker, and Mariel C. Waters. She also leaves behind many great friends and extended family members whom she loved so very much. May you find comfort in each butterfly you see on a flower and remember her.

 Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 at Buckley Funeral Home, 509 Second Ave., Asbury Park, NJ. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Deal NJ. For additional information or to leave condolence messages for the family, please visit https://www.buckleyfuneralhome.net

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Monmouth County SPCA at https://monmouthcountyspca.org"