Peggy Martin

PEGGY MARTIN Peggy Joanne Martin was born Margarette Joanne Ackers May 16, 1931, in Canton, Ohio, and resided in Las Vegas for more than 55 years. She passed away at Nathan Adelson Hospice Aug. 20, 2009. After graduating from Timken High School in Canton, Peggy traveled west to Los Angeles and the flip of a coin took her to Las Vegas (instead of San Francisco), where she worked at Binion's Horseshoe and rented a room from Phil Miribelli, becoming friends with his entire family. Peggy met and married Gerald Martin in 1956, and they traveled from Las Vegas to Wisconsin and then to Texas, where Jerry studied to become a dentist before returning to Las Vegas. Jerry and Peggy remained married for eight years. Her interest in politics led her to the Las Vegas Young Democrats, where she served as recording secretary and treasurer with the club president, Joe Pavlikowski, while working in the Clark County District Attorney's office for D.A. Ted Marshall and Ian Ross. Many were the organizations Peggy worked to support, including Our Lady of Las Vegas Parish, the St. Rose de Lima Hospital Auxiliary, and the Clark County Association for Mental Health. On April 11, 1972, Peggy became a mother when her son, Robert Jeffrey Martin, was born. (That kept Peggy busy for much of the next two decades). Peggy's work on behalf of Mental Health in the late 1960s and early 1970s didn't keep her from the common-sense decision, along with the P.T.A., to successfully oppose the proposed building of an outpatient mental hospital next to Lewis E. Rowe Elementary School, where her son attended. Peggy's respect for public service and love of politics always led to new lifelong friendships. She ran many successful political campaigns, including the bid for assembly of the late Dr. Marvin Sedway. Peggy also contributed time and wisdom to the political campaigns of friends, Tom Hickey, Larry Luna, Mark Manendo and the late Eileen Brookman. The Paradise Democrat Club recognized Peggy's achievements in 1993 with the club's Special Recognition Award to Grass Roots Democrats. Peggy volunteered her time in any and every way to candidates and incumbents she believed in, including Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Howard Cannon, Dell Guy, Richard Bryan, Harry Reid, Harvey Mumford and James Ohrenschall. Peggy was preceded in death by her father, Samson Soloman Sliman; and mother, Marie Ackers. She is survived by her son, Rob Joyce of Las Vegas; and two sisters, Joyce Ackers of East Hampton, N.Y., and Carole Ackers of Atlanta. A visitation will be 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at St. Viator Catholic Church on 2461 E. Flamingo Road.