Nancy Martin

STAPLETON, Ala. -- Nancy Nelson Martin, 54, of Stapleton, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died peacefully Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in her home with loved ones by her side, including her faithful canine companions.

Nancy was born Oct. 12, 1960, in St. Louis to the late Lewis and Margarette "Peggy" Fischer Nelson.

She spent her childhood in Cape Girardeau, graduating from Cape Girardeau Central High School, then going on to receive her bachelor's degree in geography and psychology from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Nancy made people laugh. She practiced civility and random acts of kindness. She believed deeply in being part of the solution, not part of the problem. She invested herself in numerous ways physically, emotionally and financially to help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and aid the needy, sick and injured of numerous species. She endeavored to take better care of Mother Earth and instill in others that everyone can (and must) do something to make a difference. She dearly loved her precious husband, David, and never tired of holding his hand or telling him how grateful she was to have him as her life partner since 1989. In her words, "he is my heart's safe harbor." It broke her heart to leave him to grieve.

In addition to her husband, Nancy is survived by two brothers, David (JoAnne) Nelson and Pete (Linda) Nelson; two nieces, Kylie Chrisman and Margarette "Maggie" Nelson; two nephews, Michael Nelson and Jake Selby; and a niece and nephew of her heart, Hannah and Kirkland Seesing, the children of her lifelong friends Mark and Elizabeth Jones Seesing.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship. Friends are encouraged to share a favorite poem or stories and memories of Nancy's presence in their lives. Brightly colored attire is encouraged. A luncheon will be afterward at the Fellowship.

It is Nancy's final request that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Baldwin County Humane Society, the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship (both in Fairhope, Alabama), or the Women in Geography Scholarship at Elmhurst College, which Nancy made possible.

Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory of Daphne, Alabama, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.hughesfh.com.

Announcement courtesy of McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.