Obituary: Clara Lee Martin "Sammy"

Clara Lee Martin "Sammy" 1926 ~ 2006 Our beautiful and wonderful mother, Clara Lee Martin ("Sammy"), passed away January 12, 2006 with her loving family by her side. Clara Lee was born Aug. 28, 1926 in Des Moines, New Mexico to O. Bruce Thornton and Eva Dice Thornton. Clara Lee was truly an inspiration to all those who were with her during the numerous health struggles she had overcome in the past three years. She conquered every challenge she encountered with amazing dignity and strength. She displayed an enormous example to all of us about the strength of the human spirit. Having been born into a railroad family, Clara Lee moved extensively during her childhood and attended 27 different elementary schools and five different high schools. She loved the stage; having tap-danced and performed at an early age. She worked at theaters both in Utah and Colorado where she was the assistant manager. She also was the bookkeeping manager at Utah Oil for many years until she left to start her family. Clara Lee married Lynn November 26, 1949, the love of her life. Lynn and Clara Lee traveled extensively throughout the country with their favorite places being Pebble Beach, California and Hawaii. Clara Lee loved any activities she could spend with her family. She was an avid skier and was affectionately known as "the downhill racer". Clara Lee was a member of the Fort Douglas Hidden Valley Country Club where she for years was the favorite host of their annual Luau where she set club records for attendance. She bowled with the Fort Douglas Women's League for over twenty years; she also golfed at Hidden Valley Country Club. She was very involved in her children's participation in the Country Club swimming program, encouraging her children, keeping scores, timing and above all, support for the team. Clara Lee's greatest joy was getting together with her family. Clara Lee had an amazing sense of humor that kept everybody around her in stitches. She could find humor in almost everything. Her favorite activity was the frequent trips to Wendover with her family, always coming back with more money than she left with. She was also an avid Jazz fan. Clara Lee was an amazing cook! Clara Lee worked at Diamond Rental for 14 years until she retired at the age of 75. Clara Lee is survived by two sons and a daughter, Michael Lynn Martin (Sheri), Jacksonville, Florida; Julie Martin King (Kevin), Salt Lake City, Utah; Steven Lee Martin, Sandy, Utah; grandchildren, Kevin Levi King, Charlottesville, Virginia and Jaime LeeAnn King, Salt Lake City, Utah. Also survived by two brothers, Robert Thornton, Salt Lake City, Utah; Ronald Thornton, Dallas, Texas; sister-in laws, Mary Lee Martin Hayes (Ron), Jean Martin; and numerous nephews and nieces. Clara Lee was preceded in death by her mother; father; and her husband, Lynn. On behalf of Clara Lee, the family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone at IHC who not only provided care, but also gave their love and friendship, especially Dulce, Ginny and Bonnie. We also are grateful for all of the doctors and nurses at the Shock Trauma Unit at LDS Hospital. Sammy, we love you more than you will ever know. We will miss you always and your great strength and sense of humor will be in our hearts forever. Thanks for a wonderful life Sammy --- we love you! Aloha. A funeral service will be held in Clara Lee's honor Tuesday January 17th, 2:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 So. Highland Dr. Friends may call Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. as well as Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the mortuary. The family has requested that attendees wear blue if possible in Sammy's honor, as it is her favorite color. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.