Angela Martin was an authentic and unapologetic human being who had an unwavering sense of loyalty and love for her friends and family.
She possessed her own unique sense of style and creativity, fought against injustice and cruelty and was nurturing and protective of those closest and dearest to her.
Those were the sentiments expressed by speakers at the funeral service of Express Woman Magazine editor, Angela Valerie Martin.
Martin, 60, passed away on August 9 from complications associated with diabetes at her family home in Morvant, the same house where she was born.
Celebrating her life and career accomplishments during a three-hour service at the Daybreak Assembly Pentecostal Church, Poinsettia Drive, Morvant, yesterday, several of her closest friends, including Express editor-in-chief Omatie Lyder, reflected on her contributions to the field of journalism and the special brand of love, passion and enthusiasm she exuded.
Criminologist Renee Cummings, who was described as one of Martin’s “besties”, summed up Martin when she said:
“No one else looked like her, spoke like her, laughed like her, wrote like her. She had an extraordinary sense of self and style, creative and unapologetic, as she lived her truth. She was confident and comfortable in every inch of her skin.”
Tearing up as she delivered the first of the two eulogies listed on the programme, Cummings had the congregation laughing and crying at times as she spoke of Martin’s love for “big things”, such as handbags, jewelery and hairstyles, and her appreciation of diverse textures and rich tones when it came to her clothing.
Cummings said Martin’s positive energy was always transferred to others via her effervescent personality.
Reflecting on her ability to call the nation’s attention to struggling and ambitious people trying to make it in today’s world through the pages of Express Woman, Cummings said dignity, love, respect, loyalty and kindness were character traits that Martin shared with the world.
“When you get... give,” Cummings said, reinforcing Martin’s philosophy of love for humanity and devotion to the job.
Also paying respect was Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie, a former journalist, who once worked alongside Martin.
Cuffie, along with his wife, retired permanent secretary Hermia Tyson-Cuffie; former chief executive officer of Government Information Services (GISL) Andy Johnson; former Laventille East/Morvant MP Donna Cox; former permanent secretary Roslyn Khan Cummings; former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam and mas leaders Ian Mc Kenzie and Nina Jeremiah were among those who attended the funeral. Several employees from the Trinidad Express and T&T Trinidad Guardian also turned up to pay their respects.
A voice for women
Lyder recalled meeting “mother hen” Martin in 1982 on the eve of her wedding, after Martin helped in having Lyder’s wedding dress sewn by her (Martin’s) best friend Cheryl.
She had a passion for happily-ever-after stories, Lyder said, holding back tears as she delivered the second eulogy.
Lyder recalled Martin’s early entrance at the Express in 1980 when she was hired by the late Keith Smith, former Express editor, to head the Action Line column. She was promoted to the post of Special Publications editor in 1990.
She said Martin left the media fraternity after her marriage and moved to the US. Lyder joked that upon her return to T&T she went to work at the Trinidad Guardian.
“But like most reporters who have left the Express, she returned to the paper in 1999,” Lyder said.
Having accepted the post of editorship of Express Woman until her passing last week, Lyder said:
“She wasn’t perfect and never pretended to be. She took constructive criticism in stride, never rude or disrespectful, always open to another view and ideas from others. She, however, also stood her ground confidently for the things she believed in.
“There was room for women and men of all walks in the magazine, from farmer to CEO. As she called it, real women, real stories.”
She said Martin’s death had left much of the staff distraught. Lyder thanked Martin’s family for lending her to them as they were now richer for it.
Referring to Martin’s health struggles as she battled diabetes and its complications for years, Lyder said she was never one to sit around feeling sorry for herself.
“Journalism is public service and Angela has served her country selflessly. Her goal was that struggling women would be inspired by the trials and triumphs of other women, that they should know that they too, could weave gold from straw.
“She hated cruel people, the kind that loved to inflict emotional pain on others and would, week after week, urge us to live by her motto of be kind to each other,” Lyder said.
Cuffie said Martin had been instrumental in securing his employment as former Head of News at CCN TV 6, for which he remained forever beholden to her.
Childhood neighbour and longtime friend, Carol Charles, read a poem she wrote following Martin’s passing.
Her elder brother, Ancil Martin, revealed the level of care he was able to provide to Martin during her struggles with diabetes, changing her bandages, reviving her after she nearly slipped into a diabetic coma and even ensuring she could move around on her own.
As someone from humble beginnings, Kevin said his sister never let fame go to her head and learned how to live peacefully and lovingly with everyone with whom she came into contact.
Kevin said while Martin’s sudden death was hard, he was happy she had not suffered nor had she been a victim of a homicide or vehicular accident.