Martha Stewart

Jun 16, 1952 -

Oct 31, 2022

Martha Stewart, a respected and effective advocate for the state of Alaska and its people, passed away at her home in Langley, Wash., on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.

Martha was born in 1952 in Northern California. She began her Alaska adventure in 1976, as a nurse at Maniilaq Health Center in Kotzebue, where she worked for a decade. In her spare time, Martha was the founding editor of Kotzebue's Arctic Sounder newspaper and developed a following as a disc jockey for KOTZ radio. She was an avid hunter and fisher and her and stories of the many trips she shared with friends on the Noatak River were her most repeated.

Kotzebue Senator Al Adams saw that Martha's deep understanding of his district and familiarity with his constituents would be a great advantage in serving their needs and convinced her to join his Juneau legislative staff. She stayed for six years, forming what would be her most significant long term friendships and passion for the unending peculiarities of Alaska's politics.

In 1994, Martha went to work for Governor Tony Knowles in the Alaska State Office in Washington, D.C., and, in 1999, became the Director of Federal Relations for the University of Alaska. She was an impressive spokesperson and judicious advocate for the University with the Alaska congressional delegation and with the numerous federal agencies involved with Alaska issues. Her experience with the intrigue and drama of Alaska politics was an excellent basis for her work with the University, where she managed the many diverse and competing interests.

Upon her retirement in 2011, following a lifetime of adventures and achievements, Martha noted that her proudest accomplishments were "the rebuilding of a 1978 Chevrolet Blazer engine; building a cabin on the Noatak River; becoming a certified welder; and maintaining her reputation as a fearless hunter, gourmet cook and prolific gardener."

Martha purchased an Airstream in late 2012 and, though never having driven a trailer, or barely even a car, hooked it up and drove with her beloved dog Bailey from Virginia to a newly purchased "farmette" in Langley. She spent her post-retirement with goats, chickens and her golden retriever Abbey, indulging in her love of gardening and a new passion – beekeeping. She kept in touch with her legion of friends, and true to her spirit, she was still planning and executing pranks and mischievous tricks right to the end.