Martha (Marty) McLaren, 79, a loving mother, grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully at home in South Florida on June 29. She was born in Calusa, California in 1937, the first child of Cora and Reverend Francis Cook, and grew up in Southern California with her two younger brothers. As the daughter of a Methodist Minister, the church and a strong faith in God were always a part of her upbringing.
She attended San Diego State University and was President of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority when she met, and fell in love with, a dashing young Air Force fighter pilot from the East Coast who swept her away from home for a life of adventure and travel through the military and the airlines. While stationed in Bitburg, West Germany, she delivered her daughter, Kimberly and son, Brian. They travelled extensively throughout Europe and she often remarked that her memories of those times were among the best of her life. They eventually returned to the states and settled in upstate New York and were long time summer residents at Canada Lake. She went on to earn a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, and along with a full-time job and private practice, she was active in United Methodist Women, Common Cause and League of Woman Voters. She ultimately “retired” to South Florida to be near her grandchildren and began teaching at Florida International University. Marty will be remembered as a lively, friendly, passionate woman with many interests who enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and happy hours with “cheap” wine and dear friends.
Her son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Kristin Franz; grandsons, Dylan, Wesley and Harrison; and her two brothers, survive her.
A private family burial will be held at the Dolgeville Cemetery in August.
