Peg Martin, 84, Avid reader, volunteer, tennis player
Margaret Demellweek Martin, 84, recently of Holley Court Terrace in Oak Park and formerly of Bethesda, Md., died Sept. 8, 2006 as a result of complications from a long battle with chronic leukemia.
One of five sisters, Mrs. Martin grew up in humble circumstances in Plymouth, England but served in the English armed forces during World War II. While stationed in Salisbury, she met Herbert Esten Martin, Jr., a young American captain in the 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry, 29th Division. They married, and while Martin landed with his battalion on the beaches of Normandy, Margaret gave birth to their first child, Susan, in England.
After the war, Mrs. Martin moved to the United States to join her husband and eventually settled in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Bethesda. Peg Martin served as a volunteer with MARC (Montgomery County Association of Retarded Citizens) for 15 years, working with pre-school children with special needs. She later worked as a volunteer at the Montgomery County Thrift Shop for nearly 20 years, raising money for local causes. Mrs. Martin was one of the founding members of the Bethesda Book Club-a group of women who met weekly to discuss books of topical interest. An avid tennis player, Mrs. Martin could still be seen on the tennis court well into her 70s.
Peg Martin is survived by her sons, David (Sheryl) and Esten; her daughters, Susan (Richard) Lessa and Geri (Bob) Melosh; and her grandchildren, Erin, Timothy, Jeffrey, Matthew, David, and Chrissie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert, of 40 years.
A memorial reception will be held at Holley Court Terrace, 1111 Ontario, Oak Park on Oct. 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia Research Foundation are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.
Gillian Dougherty, 31, Mother of two, battled cancer
Gillian Dougherty, 31, of Carlsbad, Calif. died on Sept. 19, 2006, surrounded by those she loved, at UCLA Medical Center following a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 29, 1975 in Oak Park, she moved to Westlake Village, Calif. in 1988 and graduated from Westlake High School in 1993. She attended the University of Alabama.
Her husband, Ben, her son, McLean, and her daughter, Lily, were the center of her life, and her spirit will endure in the lives of family and friends. The family thanks the compassionate and caring staff of the UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Robert Joseph and staff, and Dr. Karie McMurray and staff for their loving and expert care.
In addition to her husband and two children, she is survived by her brother, Christopher (Susan) Orloff; her parents, Elmer and Kip Orloff; and her grandmother, Ruth Orloff. She was preceded in death by her sister, Wendy.
A celebration of her life and Witness to the Resurrection was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village, Calif.
Donations in Gillian’s memory may be made to Westminster Presbyterian/Gillian Orloff Dougherty Memorial to provide scholarships for preschool children. Donations may also be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Joanne Grant, 92, Homemaker and golfer
Joanne M. Grant, 92, of Arlington Heights, formerly of Oak Park and Miami, died on Sept. 24, 2006. She lived in the area for many years as a homemaker. She was also an avid golfer.
Mrs. Grant is survived by her son, Thomas (Nadine) Grant; her daughters, Constance and Kathleen Grant and Doris (the late William P.) Fanning; her 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. Grant.
Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 30 at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home.
-Compiled by Ken Trainor