Maggie Martin was “pure sunshine,” and even when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her optimism never wavered, according to her father, Pete Martin.
Now, almost a year after her passing at the age of 25, Pete, along with Maggie’s mom, Kim, and her brother, Patrick, have launched the Maggie Martin Foundation Inc.
The foundation will award the first annual Maggie Martin Memorial scholarship of $1,500 to one Lynnfield High School senior pursuing a postgraduate career in theater or music.
“The overall goal was to try and do something positive out of a tragedy. Maggie had a heart of gold, and it’s what she would do,” Pete Martin said. “She was always worried about everybody else and less about herself. She was just a good, good soul.”
Throughout her life, Maggie Martin faced obstacles like being diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, but she never let that define her.
From an early age, performance was Maggie’s passion, joining the Lynnfield High School choir, acting in plays, and posting singing videos to her YouTube.
Then, at Gordon College, she continued her passion earning a degree in Theatrical Arts, and went on to work at North Shore Music Theatre and performed with Peabody’s Black Box Theater post-graduation.
“She was very involved. She loved being on stage. You know, she said she was ‘getting in her zone’ on stage,” Pete Martin said. “Maggie was, for everyone who ever met her, a ray of sunshine. The glass was always half full with Maggie.”
Even with a cancer diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer, Maggie maintained her bright personality and never give up attitude. Now, her family is hoping with this foundation, they can continue to spread the joy she always embodied.
Especially important to the foundation is supporting the performing arts, a community that embraced Maggie.
In the future, the Martins want the annual scholarship, which will be presented on June 5 during senior award night, to be just one facet of the foundation.
“She loved working at North Shore Music Theater. She loved working with the crew as a stagehand and performing in several shows at the Peabody Black Box Theatre. So, maybe we could help them out in Maggie’s memory,” Pete Martin said. “And then she was an absolute Disney fanatic!
“Maybe someday if the Foundation is able, it would be great to help someone get to Disney, to enjoy the magic as much as Maggie did, maybe through Make-A-Wish or a similar organization.”
Seniors interested in applying for the scholarship should contact Susan Corcoran at the high school. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 29th.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Foundation can visit maggiemartin.org.
