Nancy Hale Martinko, 74, passed away January 7, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health).
Nancy was born on April 26, 1946, at LMH, the daughter of Walter R. Snow (Deceased 1969) and Alberta O. Snow (Deceased 2010).
Nancy is survived by her husband, Edward Martinko and brother, Kenneth Snow.
Nancy graduated from Lawrence High School in 1964. She received her B.S. degree and her M.Ed. in 1970 at Phillips University. She completed her doctoral degree in Education at KU in 1979.
She served as Assistant Superintendent of Ottawa Kansas public schools until her retirement in 1991.
She married Edward A. Martinko in Lawrence, Kansas on May 28, 1977.
Nancy loved students, flowers, dogs, and the great outdoors.
Interment will take place in Pioneer Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held when family and friends can attend.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to KU Endowment for students in the School of Education or the Kansas Biological Survey, or directly to the Lawrence Humane Society.
Appropriate words do not come easily when I want to express sympathy for the death of a friend’s wife. Be that as it may, please know that Mary and I wish for you the strength to carry on as Nancy would have wished. We will never forget her help with the Community Christmas Dinner, especially – the PIES. Finally, I preceded her in graduation from P.U. by 10 years. GO SKUNKS.
Ed,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts during this difficult period.
Nancy was my college roommate at Phillips. I’m sorry we didn’t stay in touch over the years. Saw Nancy many years later at a mini reunion with a few other suite mates. My thoughts are with you, Ed.
Ed, Like others, I’m saddened by this news. My prayers for you, her and family. And my hope for peace, and good memories. George Pisani
Ed- Mandy and I send our deepest condolences for your loss. We’re thinking about you and your family in these difficult times. Sending much love your way.
Ed, I am so sad to hear about Nancy’s passing. I always enjoyed seeing her because of her quick and beautiful smile. I am happy you and she found each other so many years ago. Barbara
Ed, Leslie and I extend our sincere sympathies while joining with other friends here in mourning for your loss of Nancy. We hope that you are rejoicing now in fond memories of the many good times you had along with everything else in life’s experience that the two of you were fortunate enough to be able to share together over the years in loving partnership.
Ed, I just saw the notice regarding Nancy’s passing. I am so, so sorry. Damn. Jerry
So sorry for your loss, Ed. An impossible loss on top of a dumpster fire of a year. April and I are thinking of you, as I know everyone at KBS is. If a man is judged by the company he keeps, Nancy certainly made your case a lot stronger. Wishing you strength in this tough time.
Ed and family,
My very most heartfelt condolences to Ed. I cannot yet wrap my mind around Nancy having passed. Reading through these messages, I am deeply touched by the how they capture the essence of Nancy. I knew Nancy to be a believer in truth, a seeker of knowledge, a hard working steward of learning, life enrichment, and the greatest good for the majority. A seeker of joy. She loved a fabulous meal, beautiful gardens, a well decorated space, privacy, and order, and the arts. She loved with all of her heart. She sang the praises of the people she loved. She was determined, loyal, patient, wise, honest and loving. I will miss my friend for the rest of my life. And I will feel her in beautiful gardens, the sounds of a football game, a well decorated space, a store full of items for organizing, and a bowl of wonderful soup made with love. Rest In Peace my dear friend.
Ed, I’m so sorry to hear Nancy’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
One of the most loving and kindest person I know. Nancy has touched so many of our lives and her memory will carry on in all of us. Thank you Nancy for all your love!
Ed, Nancy was such a wonderful person, and we always enjoyed being around her at KBS parties and other occasions. We will all miss her, and we hope that the memory of her kind personality will sustain you always.
So very sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. We served on UWC committee’s together and played Mahjonng together. She was quiet but had a wonderful sense of humor. She will be missed.
Ed, I’m so sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. She was always a generous and hard-working member of the Lied Center’s FoTL.
Ed, we were so very sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. We always enjoyed both of you at our neighborhood “get-togethers”. Please know that we are sharing your sadness. With sympathy and friendship, Cheri and Mike Thompson
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss Ed. Peace to you and your family.
Ed, I am so sorry. I especially enjoyed meeting up with Nancy at KU events over the years.
I am so sorry, Ed. Nancy was a wonderful and caring sister in P.E. O. Gone from all of us too soon. We will miss her.
Jane and I send our heartfelt condolences to you. You and Nancy were an incredible team—always there for each other to celebrate life’s successes and to face its challenges. Nancy was very much a part of the KBS family, and we will miss her. Please know that we are thinking of you as you struggle with this heartbreaking loss.
Ed, Lee Ann and I are deeply sadden by your loss. We will sorely miss Nancy’s humor and sharp wit. Nancy was also a thoughtful and generous soul; I will miss her homemade chocolate chip cookies she used to “pay” me for helping her with a computer problem. We are thinking of you and want you to know that you are in our prayers.
Ed, you know of my long association with Nancy when she was Assistant Supt. of Schools in Ottawa. I, as the Board Chair always considered her as a dear friend and a very capable administrator. Enjoyed times here in Lawrence, and we send our heartfelt sympathy to you. Alice Jo and Stanley DeFries
Ed, Harriett and I are sorry for your loss. Nancy has always been so helpful to me and such a load of information. We miss her.
If there is anything you need or that we can do please let us know.
Ed—oh my–we are so sad for you. We loved Nancy and will miss her so much!
Hugs to you–
Ed, you have all our love and sympathy and you are in our prayers.
Dianne and I wish to extend our loving sympathy to you for your loss. Nancy was the best and we will all miss her and what she gave to us, personally and as a community.
Ed. I am heartbroken and so sad to hear about Nancy. I always thought of her as a dear friend and we worked so well together in our many projects. I will miss her very much. Jack and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed, we are so saddened to hear this news. We loved Nancy very much. You and she were our closest and longest term friends in Lawrence. For our 14 years living there we felt you were our family. We will never forget our trip to Italy together making sure we always found a bistro in the afternoon for Nancy’s wine, Ed’s and Gwen’s ice creams, and Jerry’s beer. We are recalling those fun times now. Thinking of you and wishing we could be at your side.