Comments on Del Martin

Wow how great that she was able to marry and leave the partner who stood by her for all those years with the status of widow. Anyone who could want to take that away from her... it boggles the mind.

Now let's imagine them in their scissor form.

Wow. This is absolutely heartbreaking.

I think we should all donate more money to California in her memory to help keep same sex marriage legal.

What a true hero. RIP.

@2: Don't be an ass Poe.

Strangely enough, the most optimistic line of this story is also the saddest:

"Our sympathies go out Mrs. Martin’s widow."

It's sad, and Phyllis Lyons certainly deserves sympathies, as any widow or widower would.

Is it really "heartbreaking," though? Martin was 87 years old; that's a pretty long life.

Aww man. I was reading their story from a few different sources after their marriage. It sounded like Del wasn't doing too well then... sad. Yet great that they were able to be married (and it damn well better not be rescinded in November).

She was a great lady.

Thanks Del, I'm glad you ended your life as a married woman and were able to spend your final moments with your wife.

You deserved all the happiness in the world.

I will beMr. Poe" for the day.

That guy in the middle is cute. Sympathies.

This is a reminder that we should be fighting for marriage equality everywhere. Not every couple is lucky enough to live in one of the two states where same-sex marriage is available, and many people will die without ever having the chance to marry the person they spend their lives with. As personally sad as I am that such a courageous woman has died, I'm even sadder thinking of all the people that will never have this chance in their lifetimes.

She must have been very gratified to go out on such a high note. She was able to participate in part of the equality she spent her life trying to achieve before she died.

I think we should celebrate Del Martin's life and achievement, as we mourn her passing. At 87, her death is not a huge surprise nor a huge tragedy. We'll all go someday. But most of us won't have stood for something for as long as she did. We should honor her memory for that. 1955 was a long, long time ago. I'm so glad she was able to have her marriage recognized by the state at long last before she went. It's a great legacy.

God rest her soul.

"Widow"

Maybe the world doesn't entirely suck.

I can't stop looking at that picture. People who live their lives fully, wrapped in love and with all the courage of their convictions, just seem to emanate light and strength, even as their physical forms bow and shrink with age.

She looks like she could bear the weight of the world on her shoulders, and in important ways she has been carrying 4-10% of us.

Deep gratitude to her and her wife.

Would be nice if Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon could get a shout-out from the rostrum at the Democratic convention, but that'll never happen.

weight of the world? She has fucking osteoporosis. Her sweater probably caused unbearable pain and strain on her back.

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-(

Thank you, Del Martin, for doing 1000 things for me I was too much of a pussy to ever do for myself. Giant leaders aren't all speaking from a podium in Denver...I hope there's a heaven and you're in it tonight.

Condolences to Phyllis.

@19: Look at her eyes and her smile, man. Have you no sense of the transcendent?

Anyone know where to send a bereavement gift?

@22: The NoOn8 campaign sent the following in a statement:

As was her wish, in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to honor Del's life and commitment by defeating the California marriage ban. To make a gift, please click here:

http://www.NoOnProp8.com/contribute

@11: That guy looks like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

@17 & 21: I can't stop looking at that picture. People who live their lives fully, wrapped in love and with all the courage of their convictions, just seem to emanate light and strength, even as their physical forms bow and shrink with age.

I was thinking the same thing, but you said it much more eloquently than anything I could muster. She is radiantly beautiful in that picture (and an incredible inspiration.) My condolences to her widow.

Thanks 23...