Maureen Martin earned the nod for Citizen of the Year for 2013 as Ladysmith Days opened Saturday morning.
Deputy Mayor Gord Horth made the announcement outside the Ladysmith and District Credit Union during the Rotary Club’s pancake breakfast, drawing an elated smile from an unsuspecting Martin.
Horth and longtime friend Irene Deschene praised Martin for her contributions to community theatre and civic events prior to Martin receiving a commemorative print from the Ladysmith Ambassadors.
Martin was elated, admitting that she was “still shaking” with excitement minutes after receiving the award.
Deschene shared a list of Martin’s contributions to her community with the Chronicle.
As a member of the Ladysmith Historical Society for 15 years, Martin served two-year terms as both the society’s president and as its vice-president, playing a pivotal role in the founding of the Ladysmith Museum. Martin now serves as the museum’s co-ordinator.
She served as chair of the Heritage Revitalization Advisory Committee (HRAC), helping to develop Ladysmith’s strategic plan for maintaining its century-old downtown core.
Martin volunteered as secretary of the Ladysmith branch of the Canadian Cancer Society for seven years, founded and reigned as queen of the Ladysmith Ladybugs — a chapter of the Red Hat Society where “ladies over 50 wear red hats, purple clothes and have fun,” Deschene said — and she’s worked with the Ladysmith Little Theatre for years as an actor, stage manager and as current vice-president.
Martin is an avid Aqua Fit enthusiast, book club member, genealogist and gardener, Deschene added, whose devotion to Ladysmith is driven by the fact that “Maureen loves Ladysmith.”