Debby Martin December 20th, 1947 - March 2nd, 2013

 Just an hour before leaving to attend the HDSA Re-Prom with the love of her life, my amazing mother passed away. She was all dressed up and so beautiful and was able to see my dad one last time. My dad, Peter, and I decided to attend the event anyway, as she would have wanted us to.

Although expected for the last twenty years, we knew my mom was such a fighter that it seemed as if she would never really leave us.  Many have said this would be a relief, as she would be free from her disease.  We have yet to feel any relief.  Emotions have been all over the place, ranging from mostly sadness, to laughter from family stories, and extreme anger that she had to suffer with this terrible disease and be taken from us so early.

Her visitations and funeral were more beautiful than we could ever ask.  The room was filled with music from her favorite folk singers, and photos from her childhood and on.  I found the energy to speak, as I wanted everybody in attendance to know about the amazing woman who I called “Mommy”.

“Her suffering had a purpose, and I’m sure she was proud of that purpose. She used her battle to teach some very important lessons.  Lessons which we often forget the in everyday hustle and bustle of life.”
“She taught us to Smile, Give, Be Strong and independent & stubborn- fight for what we believe in, Love unconditionally, Embrace Family, Live everyday to the fullest, and Sing. “

As my dad and I sit down to write thank-yous and make a scrapbook with all of the beautiful cards we received we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our friends, family, and the entire Madison Community.  Channel 3 even did a beautiful story about Debby Martin’s Legacy.

As we sit back and look at all of the cards, flowers, e-mails, and reflect on the thousands of hugs we have received, we know we are blessed.  Not only that, but 90% of the people who reached out never even had the chance to meet my wonderful mother.  But through all of this, we had the chance to tell her story.

I am not a religious person, but I really hope my mom is out there, and able to see all of the exciting things happening here in her honor.  I hope she knows much love my dad and I are surrounded with, and how lucky I am to have Peter.  I hope she is able to see through the windows at the Monona Terrace in November as I marry the love of my life.  And I hope she is able to one day kiss her grandkids, and hold them close.

We will find a cure for Huntington’s Disease.  And I will NEVER forget to fight for what I believe in, smile (all the time), sing (no matter how terrible it is), and cherish the amazing family I have.

Dancing at the Re-Prom in honor of my mother

Debby Martin's Obituary


 Hear You Sing Again - Woody Guthrie

If I could only hear my mother sing again
If I could close my eyes and hear your voice as then
All the friends and family
would sing along with me,
and set your spirit free
In my heart I hear you sing again
Every note as natural as then
and when I sing those songs
for family and friends,
in my heart I hear you sing again

I know the troubled times that turned your hair to grey
And all the tears and sorrows followed to your grave
But deep within the heart of hunger,
there were always melodies
passed from you and me

In my heart I hear you sing again
Every note as natural as then
and when I sing those songs
for family and friends,
in my heart I hear you sing again

And it's a long, long road I've come
since my mother's songs were heard
But the child I can't outrun
still hangs on every word

In my heart I hear you sing again
Every note as natural as then
and when I sing those songs
for family and friends,
in my heart I hear you sing again
In my heart I hear your voice again