Sarah Martin

Mother, Pediatrician,
Founding Member of Threshold Choir,
Died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010

Oct. 25, 2010
Dear Sisters,

Please join me in mourning the death of our dear sister Sarah Martin. She died yesterday, Sunday morning, surrounded by family and friends and her precious courageous daughter Katie. She was a cherished, trusted friend for me, an advisor and co-instigator, a wise woman I went to regularly for her deep generosity, her good ears and brave soul.

She learned of her terrible diagnosis in early August and I Skyped her from Thailand the next night when I saw her Skype light on at 3 in the AM. She couldn’t sleep having just learned she had very bad (out of the blue) cancer. We talked for a long time and she was wicked articulate and philosophical. We co-wrote a song…

The Struggle is Over
The struggle is over
I am who I am.
The struggle is over
I am enough.

I don’t know what the family is planning. I will let you know when I do. Until then, keep singing for her. And each other.

All blessings, flooded with tears.
Kate

During our retreat at Bishop’s Ranch in May 2010, I was deeply inspired by Sarah’s commitment to the Pachamama project. She was clearly a courageous woman passionate about the urgent needs of our planet and of humanity. I will honor her memory and her generous contribution to the well being of our planet by singing to her spirit. Blessings on Sarah and deepest sympathy to her family, friends and Threshold Choir sisters.
Yolanda Sanchez-Peterson
East Bay TC

I heard the news from Leah today.  We have been singing for her. I loved meeting her around singing for children at Shirley’s house and hearing her thoughtful, compassionate comments on doing that work.  Also appreciated her telling us about Pachamamma at gathering. A wonderful, sharp, caring woman. I am so sorry.

Love,
Jacquelyn
East Bay TC

Sarah Martin – In Memorium

Sarah came into my life in early 2010.  I was in the process of learning to facilitate a symposium called “Awakening the Dreamer/ Changing the Dream”.  I had committed to a weekend of training when I learned that Kate Munger’s mother had died and that a memorial service was being held on the same weekend.  I so wanted to be there for Kate, but I was informed the weekend training was mandatory; no exceptions. The person I spoke with mentioned that one of the trainers – Sarah Martin – was also a Threshold Choir member.

At the training, I was moved by Sarah’s gentleness, by her quiet strength and her warmth. Afterwards, Sarah and I would laugh, remembering how I stuck to her like glue that weekend. We both were sad about having to miss Kate’s memorial gathering for her mother.  But Sarah’s calm acceptance that she could only be in one place at a time, that Kate would understand, helped to soften my distress. I relaxed into the training and by the end of the weekend, I had come up with a creative solution to my dilemma.  I proposed to Sarah that we offer an Awakening the Dreamer symposium at the national gathering in honor of Kate and in memory of her mother. Sarah was delighted.

I made two trips to Napa to prepare our symposium for the choir gathering. On my first visit to Sarah’s home, I arrived mid-afternoon, quite tired. Sarah invited me to take a catnap and within five minutes of my arrival, she had tucked me under a blanket on her sofa for a quick snooze.  This incident shows how easy it was to be real with Sarah, and how nurturing and accepting she could be.

Over the next several weeks, I learned something else about Sarah. In addition to our collaborative efforts, Sarah devoted many additional hours to modifying our program, interspersing it with Threshold songs, so that it would be smooth and polished and a perfect fit for the Threshold Choirmembers.  I was impressed with her desire to be impeccable.

Fast forward to the Bishop’s Ranch.  It was a joy to present the Awakening the Dreamer symposium at the national gathering with Sarah and Rosemary Gallagher.  We had indeed found a meaningful way to show our love for Kate and to honor her mother’s memory.  What I never imagined at the time, however, was that within five months, I would find myself searching for a meaningful way to honor Sarah’s memory.

Leah Fisher
East Bay TC

I loved sitting next to Sarah singing songs in her home in Napa with Kate and the women round singers. I mostly loved how our voices blended together so beautifully. I became intrigued with her involvement with the awakening the dreamer symposiums and felt compelled to experience it. Later, I discovered she too, had explored shamanic journeying. When I moved to Minnesota last summer, Sarah was the first friend to visit me. Her passion for the pachamama alliance inspired a presentation of the symposium at our local Unitarian chapel, and so after visiting a relative in Wisconsin, I was blessed with two visits from her. She loved the Navajo Song. What a bright light, inspired soul, and kind woman. I miss her deeply.

Linda Flanagan,
formerly of Napa TC

I was very moved to find out that our sister singer Sarah Martin had passed on.  I met her at a special workshop we had on children’s hospital issues at Shirley Weishaar’s home, on invitation of Kate.  She was very helpful, wise, and just the type of person who when she spoke, you made sure you listened.  The picture of her on the Beloved Sisters site is gorgeous, and this is how I will remember her.
I send very deep condolences to Kate and Sarah’s family and close friends.  She seemed to go way too early.

Tenderly,
Helen Couture Rodriguez
East Bay TC