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Vera Martin Obituary
VERA ANNA LICHTENBERG MARTIN
On Sunday, July 17, 2022, Vera Anna Lichtenberg Martin of Fairfax Station, VA passed away at the age of 57 at home from cancer surrounded by her husband, youngest son, and mother. Vera was diagnosed with High-Grade Neuro Endocrine Stage 4 cancer in September 2021, and fought a most amazing battle against this dreadful illness for the past 10 months, making each day more meaningful for her family and friends then the previous.
Vera was born in what was known as Czechoslovakia in 1964 to Jaroslav and Vera M. Lichtenberg, and immigrated to the Unites States after the Soviet Invasion in 1968. She and her family became U.S. citizens during the Bicentennial in 1976. Vera graduated from Wakefield High School in Arlington in 1982, and earned a double Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from George Washington University in 1986.
She was employed at IREX in 1992 in Princeton, NJ and Washington, DC for over a decade, serving as a Program Officer providing and managing grants to academic scholars from the Eastern European Region. In 1998, she organized a New Eastern European Conference that included academics and government officials from the region, and senior representative from western NGOs that featured Secretary of State Madeline Albright. In 2012 Vera founded and Directed the Mason Game and Technology Academy (MGTA) at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, that taught children ages 8-18 STEM subjects through game creation and engaging programming courses. Through grants she received from the Jack Kent Cook Foundations, and her own fundraising, Vera was able to annually secure free admission in MGTA classes for underprivileged children from the Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia regions. In less than a decade, MGTA became the largest STEM program in Virginia, and one of the largest in the nation. On May 31, 2022, the Virginia House of Delegates, and separately, the Senate of Virginia passed a Commending Resolution celebrating Vera's MGTA accomplishments.
Vera considered it her mission to support many charities during her life, including New Life for Youth, Boys Home in Covington, Virginia, Hearts for Lebanon, Samaritans Purse, and American Family Association to name a few. She also never hesitated donating to friends of the family in need. Vera also loved international travel to the U.K, China, Czech Republic, and France, and declared her favorite locales on Martha's Vineyards, MA, and more recently, Palm Beach, FL.
Vera is preceded in death by her father, Jaroslav Lichtenberg, and is survived by her husband of 36 years, Scott M. Martin, their three children, Prescott Martin (25), Scott C. Martin (24), and Theodore (Teddy) Martin (19), her mother, Vera M. Lichtenberg (84), and her brother, Jaroslav Lichtenberg Jr. (53).
Vera will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Abbey, Natural Spring Cemetery in Berryville during a private family service at a future date. Memorial contributions can be made to one charity Vera has visited and supported for many years: New Life for Youth: https://www.newlife.center/impact
If you wish, please view and comment on her death announcement at www.legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vera Martin
Donald E. Scoggins
July 15, 2025
So sorry for your family and friends' tremendous loss. Your wonderful MGTA work at George Mason University will never be forgotten. You were always so friendly and pleasant.
Kristen
January 25, 2024
I've never met Vera, but in some research I was doing for university, I found her work at MGTA. She is an inspiring woman who has done amazing work in games education. I know she is deeply missed.
Raphael Brown
August 19, 2022
I only got to meet Vera in person one time, however I really felt her warmth and kindness, and it stuck with me. She was the type of person you became more relaxed and happy around.
Before I was even a student at George Mason University, Vera was more than willing to give me advice and information about navigating college and how to get involved with MGTA; she truly helped me grow my understanding and curiosity.
Vera really was a pioneer in STEM education. The fact that she built MGTA from the ground up by herself is astounding; even more so that she was able to secure grants to provide the classes to underprivileged students during the school year. She meant so much for the Mason community, and for the students, parents, and teachers that had the chance to meet her.
I was unaware as to just how much she contributed to charities, but it comes as no surprise as she was a very caring and generous individual. When I needed help in terms of securing an internship, she gave me a path to joining MGTA; I am forever in debt to her for it.
She truly will be missed. My thoughts go out to her friends, family, and loved ones.
- Raphael
Heidi Lenzini
August 12, 2022
We have such deep admiration for Vera and her leadership in the Minecraft course at George Mason, the first and only one my son attended while he was in middle school. She was always radiating that lovely smile and was so kind, thoughtful and helpful. She has made such an impact on hundreds of fellow creators, and her memory will be cherished.
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Carmen Caballero
August 11, 2022
I will treasure each word we exchange. Ms. Vera never Hesitated on support me or my son Nico. I will always remember you Mrs. Vera. Your light will be deeply missed.
Ace
August 11, 2022
A great person.
Sanjay Mishra
August 11, 2022
Scott and family-my condolences. Scott you are tough! hang in there. hope the kids are doing alright!-sanjay mishra
Judith C
August 11, 2022
My deepest condolences to the Martin family.
Vera was a fantastic individual who invited and inspired creativity wherever she went. It was an absolute pleasure working with her at MGTA, and I will miss her.
Maxine
August 11, 2022
Thank you for all that you did! You will be missed.
Chris Ehmann
August 11, 2022
I'm so sorry to hear this news. I'm a foster care social worker, and Vera went above and beyond to connect a youth I was working with to gaming programs. The youth was incredibly grateful for the experience. It was always a pleasure working with her. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
Daniel Greenberg
August 11, 2022
Thank you, Vera, for everything you did to make MGTA as terrific a program as it was for all the kids that went through it. You will be missed - my condolences to everyone.
Danny Tran
August 11, 2022
Vera gave me a chance when no one else would and even with how busy she was, she still gave me her time and attention. Thank you Vera, for showing me how a leader leads. My condolences to her family.
Steve Adragna
August 11, 2022
Constance joins me in extending our deepest and most profound sympathy to Scott and the entire Martin family. We understand how awful this is for all concerned and we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Although my work never brought me into direct contact with the Game and Technology Academy, I've always maintained a strong interest in GMU's growth and always appreciated the positive effects it has had on our local workforce and economy. MGTA's growth and local impact have been very impressive indeed.
As a local business owner, I regularly received broadcast emails from Vera regarding local business and technology issues, and everyone in the NoVa tech community seemed to know her name.
I confess that I was unaware of the breadth of her charitable and community service work, and what I've read only makes her personal achievements and contributions to our region and its residents all the more impressive.
What a talented, visionary, tireless and giving soul. May God bless and rest her, and bless and give comfort to all her loved ones. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Alex Estep
August 11, 2022
Vera was a wonderful leader at MGTA. She had such a positive impact on the community. She will be deeply missed.
Our condolences are sent to Vera's family during this difficult time.
Don Scoggins
August 11, 2022
My sincere condolences to the Martin Family. Vera, was such a beam of sunshine and gave so freely of her time responding to inquiries however small related to STEM and Gaming.
Melanie
August 11, 2022
Dearest Lichtenberg family, I am so sorry for your loss of Vera. Vera was running the Mason IT programming program and was such an advocate for us and many other budding young children. She was always the one to make things happen when we didn't think they would. She was a caring, warm advocate for so many children who wouldn't have had these opportunities if it weren't for her passion and drive. Thank you Vera for all the families you touched. You will be dearly missed by the community. Love, Melanie
Tammy and Sara Zerbo
August 10, 2022
We offer our condolences to the Martin family and her mother. Vera was an amazing woman. We are so sorry for your loss.
Cindy Rushing
August 8, 2022
My heartfelt sympathy to Vera's family. She was a remarkable woman and leaves a brilliant legacy in her family, her work, and her generosity. May her memory be eternal.
Jarmila and Les Masnik
July 29, 2022
Dear Family:
Our hearts go out to you after this great loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jacob and Pratima
July 24, 2022
Dear Scott,
Deepest condolences for your loss. Vera was a wonderful person and will be remembered fondly by so many.
Susie (Pollard) Phillips
July 21, 2022
To the Martin Family - I am so very sorry for the passing of your wonderful wife and mom. Vera was a wonderful friend throughout my school years. She and I went to school together and I considered her one of my best friends. We would go to her house and swim in their pool and just have a great time being kids. Thanks to Facebook, we were able to reconnect through the years and I am so thankful that I was able to chit chat with her once again. She was a phenomenal woman and I will truly and deeply miss her.
Susie
Elaine Rendler (GMU)
July 21, 2022
Dear Scott,
I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your wife.
We are grateful for her support of Boys Home, since a brother-in-law of mine grew up there. Peace to all of you.
Delia Johnson
July 21, 2022
She was a joy to work with and has been missed since her retirement. My thoughts are with you during this time.
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