Sydney Adele Martin (1936 - 2010)

Born Sydney Adele Fink to Clarence and Dolly Fink in Saranac Lake, NY on June 9, 1936, she came to Southern California in 1941 with her parents who were seeking a milder and more healthful climate for their handicapped daughter. They settled in the San Fernando Valley.

Disabled by cerebral palsy at birth, Syd was encouraged and inspired by her mother to lead an independent, productive life. She was a 1955 honors graduate of Joseph P. Widney High School and a 1958 graduate of Los Angeles Valley College.

She met James I. Martin, her future husband and soul mate, at the Spastic Children’s Foundation in the 1960s while he was there in a teaching capacity. They married in 1969. Jim also overcame cerebral palsy and went on to a successful career with Computer Sciences Corporation.

Syd and Jim were a fun-loving couple who enjoyed life to the fullest, loved to travel and had many friends. Syd was president of the Rancho Los Amigos Chapter of the California Association of the Physically Handicapped (CAPH), and in that capacity flew to the nation’s capital with her husband to meet President Carter.

Sydney died in Long Beach, CA on July 25, 2010 following a short illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years and leaves behind her grieving sister Carla Chilton (Lewis), brother-in-law Allen Martin (Karen), a niece, Shaunn Cartwright (Paul), many cousins, long-time friends and very special caregivers, Janel Ault and Liza Roa.

Syd’s spunk, determination and vivacity can be best characterized by one of her e-mail monikers, “Lil Devil on 4 Wheels.” She is with her soul mate once again.