Alice Dorothy Desmond Martin

Alice Dorothy Desmond Martin, better known as “Honey,” age 94, died peacefully at her residence at Bedford Court, Silver Spring, MD, on January 30. She was born in Chicago, Ill, the daughter of the late Arthur and Evelyn Desmond. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, William T. Martin, and one brother and two sisters. She was the loving and endlessly patient mother of 11 children (three deceased, Billy, Angela and Alex). She is survived by children Kathleen Branick (Chuck), Deborah Christie (Bob), Diana Kauffman (Stew), Melinda Metz (Bob), Pam Barkley, Maria Fox (Bob), Christopher Martin (Priscilla), and Erin Latimer. She is survived by grandchildren Rob Christie, Dr. Melinda Christie Penn, Adam Austin, Patrick Austin, Ally Austin, Leigh Barkley, Christine Barkley, Brett Barkley, Dr. Daniel Fox, Susie Martin, Paul Latimer, Maria Latimer, and Dylan Latimer and 12 great-grandchildren.

She relocated almost yearly throughout Dad’s Navy career. She said moving didn’t bother her because she liked seeing new places. She loved to decorate with impeccable taste the many homes she lived in. She was elegant, beautifully dressed and groomed at all times and defied the stereotypical image of mother of 11 kids, grandmother and great-grandmother. We remember sitting on the floor with her like a momma duck and her ducklings, exercising to get back in shape after each pregnancy. She napped everyday while the kids napped, which probably was the reason she was always so patient.

She was a gracious hostess who enjoyed trying new recipes, many of which her children still make. Her reputation as the perfect hostess took a hit one time when the cake she was carrying to the table slid off the plate onto the perfectly coiffed head of a then son-in-law. When we lived on the Patuxent River, she boiled pots and pots of Chesapeake blue crabs which we all learned to pick. She raised independent children. We learned how to do laundry, clean, cook and help with younger siblings. She was a devout Catholic who somehow found time to teach CCD classes. She was a savvy shopper who loved a bargain at her favorite store, Nordstrom’s.

Mom read to her children every day before naptime and thus passed on a love of reading to them. She had a wonderfully eclectic taste in books. She read all the latest best sellers, religious philosophy, and loved a good mystery, the darker, the better. She kept up with current events, popular culture and music, although she once excitedly told us that she and Dad were going to see “Gladys Pip and the Knights” at Shady Grove Music Fair.

She went to work for Montgomery County Schools when her youngest child entered kindergarten, retiring as a financial secretary many years later. She and Dad loved to travel, taking many trips and going on many cruises after the kids were grown.

A grave side service and interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery where she’ll be buried with our father and our brother, Billy.

Memorial donations may be made to Montgomery Hospice.