WELCOME TO THE WEB PAGE …

REMEMBERING MARTHA SCHIEK

JUST SCAN DOW TO LOOK AT THE PICTURES … OR THE PICTURES AND THE “WORDS” ON THE RIGHT

ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED IN MARCH, 2006 … UPDATED ON APRIL 15, 2007

top

Martha J. Schiek, 2000 [ Our favorite photo of her ] SEE BELOW

By Ray & Judith Hester Formerly of Darley Manor Inn B&B Claymont, DE (1991-2004) Now retired in Murrells Inlet, SC After a short, unexpected battle with leukemia, Martha passed away on February 21, 2006. She was a life-long resident of Claymont; Martha WAS Claymont history. Claymont history was her life long work and love. She was a friend of ours, Claymont, and Delaware. We dedicate this “page” to her; she will forever be in our memory.

With Gerald Charles Dickens at the Wilmington Riverfront Art Center In 2000 (for Gerald’s “A CHRISTMAS CAROL, sponsored by the Darley Society ( I chose to leave this “high quality” .. it will take some time to load. It is one of the best photos we have of Marti )

MARTI WAS A . . . third generation Claymonter daughter of Allen & Elizabeth Schiek (he was a Claymont dentist) sister of Ann Reichelle of Malvern, Pennsylvania graduate of the University of Colorado (Archeology) member of the Daughters of the American Revolution life-long resident of Claymont, living in the house that her grandfather built worked in banking for the last several years founding member of the Claymont Historical Society (1999) and the Darley Society (1999), and active in both since 1999 past president of the Historical Society and past VP of the Darley Society concerned citizen of Claymont, active in many of its programs & activities co-author of the book, “IMAGES OF AMERICA, CLAYMONT (yr. 2000); (Of the 218 photos in the book, 175 were from the Schiek Collection) person who accentuated the positive in all situations person who loved Claymont history and wanted to share it with others friend to all and she cared about them, their families, and their health. friend to all manner of animals … squirrels, birds, raccoons, dogs, cats, etc. Her back yard was always “cluttered” with various foods for them and yes, she was “set in her ways” in many areas, but would listen to others opinions with respect … sometimes “changing,” some times “not” .. but remaining a friend throughout. TO SAY THAT SHE WILL BE MISSED IS A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. Almost evertime we see a Jeep, we think of Marti.

Note: Photos have been reduced in quality, but still will load slowly on most systems

Martha’s house on Myrtle Ave., built by her grandfather.

People tried to encourage her to move to smaller quarters,

but she refused … she loved the house and its memories

Martha and sister, Ann, give a “Sherman’s March” by Darley

to the Darley Manor B&B at our “Grand Reopening,” 1994

[ Pictured: Ann, Judith, Ray, Martha ]

Martha was “Darley’s model” on the Darley

Society float in the yr. 2000 Christmas Parade

You couldn’t confide in your guests … so Martha was there

to be a friend and confidant [ Judith .. Martha ]

This was Marti at Lamberti’s at Christmas, 2005; the Historical

Society took us out after the parade. WE ALWAYS HAD FUN

(Pictured: Marti, Carolyn Mercadante, Lorraine West)

LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT IN ONLY

2.5 MONTHS, MARTHA WOULD BE GONE.

Ray and Judith … REMEMBERING MARTI

In 1991 Judith and I bought the Darley House on the Pike in Claymont, ending a long search for a historic-register-property to convert to a bed and breakfast. The house’s history suited us to a “t.”

Shortly after we purchased the house, a lady came up to us in the yard and introduced herself … it was Martha.

She explained that she and her parents had been living in the Darley House (wing apartment) when she was born. Her father had a dental office just down the street in what’s now the Seminole Building (the old A&P building). Her mother, it turns out not only collected area history, but also she “specialized” in collecting Darleyana and, in fact, had quite a collection.

That was the beginning of the friendship that held Martha and us together for the 13 years that we lived in Claymont.

During this friendship, Martha was a frequent visitor … most of the time to just sit and talk, or to meet a B&B guest that shared an interest with her. Often, she stopped by ater work with Chinese food and we would sit, eat, talk, and laugh … always laughter; often I was asked to leave the room if I didn’t join in.

When I worked part time at the Philadelphia airport, Martha was almost always there at night to sit with Judith.

When we went on vacations, it was Martha who “babysat” the Inn. Once when we went on a January vacation, I let the furnace run out of oil … pipes froze, water pipes burst, the basement partially flooded, and poor Martha fell on the stairs in all the excitement … fortunately, she was not seriously hurt. She didn’t even call us on vacation to tell us … she didn’t want to ruin our vacation. Wow, what a friend.

We often took long drives on Sunday afternoons, sometimes stopping for dinner. J.B. Cook’s in Pennsville, NJ was a favorite of ours. Often she would go with us when we had a special guest.

After we met Dr. Nancy Finlay, a curator in the New York City Public Library, it was Martha’s sharing of her Darley info, and a NEWS JOURNAL article by Jim Parks that helped us and Dr. Finlay persuade the Library to do the 1999 Darley exhibit. (The exhibit then came to the Brandywine River Museum).

Not only did we travel to Charleston, SC to visit ARCADIA PUBLISHING for the Claymont book, but Martha also went with us on a couple of other trips. One of those great trips was to Boston, MA where we visited the Mt. Auburn Cemetery where Felix Darley was buried.

When Judith decided that a Claymont Historical Society should be formed … against my advice … it was Martha who volunteered to help. She went with Judith to the lawyer to incorporate, etc. and then she served as the Society’s first president.

All during our 13 years, Martha was always a willing “participant” in almost any project that came along. A few of these were:

• gave us several “Darley” items for the B&B
• dressed in an elf’s outfit and drive a lawn tractor pulling a replica

of the first “Claymont Christmas Weed” in the first Christmas Parade

in 1998, She really didn’t want to do this … and refused later years)

• posed as a “model” for the Darley Society float in 1999
• jumped in to do a “rush” for the Claymont book in yr. 2000 … so we would not lose the opportunity
• joined us when we did a peaceful, informational picket at the McDonalds on the Pike (re: the problem at the Lackey house and landscaping on the Pike )
• worked on archeology projects .. a key one being the Pike at Perkins Run when DELDOT exposed a road-cut all the way down to the creek bed
• Opened her house for the first Christmas House Tour in Claymont … even though it took weeks for her to get it into “condition”
• Helping with the Society’s efforts in general for the Claymont Christmas Parade, including in 2001 when we honored the mother of Bobby Fangman, killed on United Flt. 175 in NYC on 9/11

AND THE LIST GOES ON, AND ON. Just ask, and if she could get off work, she’d be there. At least that’s the way it was until the last 2 years or so when her health began to decline … due to her MS we all thought, including her.

In mid-2004, our son, Kevin, suffered a serious cerebral hemorrhage and was in an ICU unit for 28 days near death, and then another 30 days in the hospital. After being discharged, he was in therapy for another 3 months. During this time, Martha faithfully visited him in the hospital, and then at home. She brought books, crossword puzzles (for therapy), and most of all, was a caring friend who always brought laughter (after ICU). The two were good friends and constantly joked and “bantered.”

Other than a few close friends of ours, Marti was the only one who really cared for Kevin .. and us as we struggled through this tough time, visiting Kevin at Christiana twice per day, and running the B&B (business actually increased during this time … a mixed blessing).

Kevin like us, was greatly saddened by his friend’s passing.

Yes, Martha and I had situations where we did not agree … but as noted elsewhere, she, AND I, would stubbornly hold our “ground” but we never lost the friendship and respect for each other.

Martha will forever be in our memories of “good times” and Claymont.

Losing Martha was close to losing an actual family member … because that’s what she was. (In the early days, she often called us “Mom and Pop” … which was OK, but did make us feel older than our years).

Thank God for Mrs. Elizabeth Schiek who collected the Darley and Claymont memorabilia … and thank God for Martha who protected it and shared it and her own knowledge with all of us.

A special thanks as we end, to Martha’s sister, Ann Reichelle of Malvern, PA who has planned to donate the SCHIEK COLLECTION to the Claymont Historical Society … for current and future generations to learn and remember.

ENJOY THE PHOTOS THAT WE TOOK OF OUR VARIOUS “HAPPENINGS” WITH MARTHA. THIS IS THE MARTHA THAT WE REMEMBER

Marti helped the Society every year … this year, 2001, she helped

decorate the car for the mother of Bobby Fangman, who was

killed in United Flt. 175 at the Trade Center on 9/11

In the first Claymont Coalition Christmas Parade in 1998, we paraded the “Christmas Weed” replica along the route … with Marti driving it with a lawn tractor … dressed in a green & red ELF OUTFIT (oh, how she protested wearing it, but she gave in to my pushing … sorry I didn’t capture the outfit)

3/11/06 UPDATE . . . “yes I did,” SEE BELOW

As detailed elsewhere, Martha was “usually” a willing participant in any Claymont events that we asked her to participate in.

In 1998, we decided to “parade” the “Claymont Christmas Weed,” pulled on a wagon by a lawn tractor.

Martha was not at all in favor of being the driver, let alone, dressing in an Elf outfit … but she did.

Afterward, however, she said, “I’ll never dress in an Elf outfit again … so don’t ask!”

[ Note, in 2000, she was a “Darley Model” on the Darley Society’s float .. see above ]

Ray

Martha, 1998 Claymont Christmas Parade,

Driver of the “Christmas Weed Tractor”

Here we are at the Philadelphia Airport in 2000, welcoming

Gerald Charles Dickens …with proclamations from

Mayor Rendell, and Gov. Carper …we in costume and song !!

[ Pictured: Marti, Carolyn, Ray, & Judith ]

Marti loved her Jeep. She told us the night that she bought it that

she had decided to “indulge herself” and go for it.

How happy we were that she did … she really enjoyed that vehicle

( and she scared us to death when we rode with her .. ha ! )

Marti often helped us “entertain” at the Inn; it seems that

she could talk about anything. Gerald Dickens came to expect her for breakfast each year that he visited Claymont

In 2000, the Historical Society sponsored an “informational

picket” at McDonalds on the Pike … urging more landscaping

and more protection for the Lackey House (behind it).

Marti took off work to participate (she was President)

In c. 2002, DELDOT put in a new bridge over Perkins Creek

on the Pike (at the Pizza shop). This opened a grand

panorama of what lies under the Pike. Marth, of course,

assisted in documentation of it (being an archeologist)

Some never saw the “funny side” of Marti, but it was almost

always there, as in this photo taken at one of the Claymont

Memorial Day Parades (The Stone School is in background)

[ Pictured: Mrs. Tryon, Marti, Carolyn Burlew, and Virginia Smilack ]

In addition to the Charleston, SC trip, Martha went

wth us on several “trips.” She was always fun !

Then there’s the book … of the 218 photos in it

Abt. 175 are from Martha’s collection

Now, these will be available nationwide “forever”

At 4,000+ sold, it was one of Arcadia Publishing’s BEST SELLERS

Marti outside the book publisher’s office

in Charleston, SC in July 2000

Meeting with Christine Riley, Editor at Arcadia

[ Marti, Ray, Christine ]

The NEWS JOURNAL (reporter Robin Brown) did a great job

covering the Claymont book. People were actually angry, showing up at our door demanding a copy. It took 4 printings to catch up with the demand. Over 4,000 copies have now been sold, and Marti’s and her mom’s work will “live” forever via this book

Marty signed books for sale and pick up at many locations in the area

(this is at Claymont Elementary .. don’t know the gentleman’s name)

No remembrance of Marti would be complete

without mention of her love of animals .. of all types

These two are not hers, but are VERY similar

March 1, 2006

SEND AN EMAIL TO: murrell89-2005@yahoo.com

[ Names and email address will be used ONLY if you request it

You don’t even need to provide a name unless desired ]

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THIS PAGE IF THEY KNOW MARTI

COMMENTS / REMEMBERING MARTI

ORIGINALLY DONE IN MARCH, 2006:

I'm very sorry to hear of Martha's passing. She was great for Claymont in all she did. Her father was my dentist for years. –John (The Honorable John Carney, Jr., Lt. Governor, State of Delaware, and former resident of Claymont)	I am deeply saddened. She was a great lady and good friend to Claymont and to many. Wayne Rep. Wayne A. Smith House Majority Leader, Delaware House of Representatives
What a sad day for all of us. Cathy Cloutier, Delaware State Senator	Another way of knowing that Claymont will never come close to being the same as it once was. I am so glad I had the opportunity in September to see her and let people know of the work … she had done on the book -- Marty came and sold books to my reunion and signed them. I am very saddened to hear of her passing. Ginny Tryon Smilack
That is so sad. I will miss her terribly. I am so saddened by this news that I can't even think about it. Even thought I didn't get to see her very often, I thought the world of her. I didn't even know she was sick. Gail Stanislow, member of the Darley Society	It is difficult to realize that Marti died so suddenly …. I just wish that Marti could have lived to see the completion of the Claymont Renaissance. Carolyn Burlew (Exec. Director, Friends of the Claymont Stone School) AR
This is really terrible. Marti was a good person. Kim Burdick (National W3R Chairperson)	I was saddened and distressed to learn of the death of Martha She was indeed a special person, who was always very kind, and generous, and helpful to me. Nancy Finlay, Curator of Graphics, The Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT (Nancy was the initiator and curator for the 1999 Darley exhibit in NYC & at the Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford, PA
I have known Martha for 35 years or more and deeply respect her commitment to Delaware's heritage Daniel Griffith ( Past Director, Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover, DE )	She was our local historian and archeologist. Marti knew all there was to know about our local history. We shall miss her as our friend and as our esteemed member of the Claymont Historical Society, Darley and Naaman`s Heritage Assoc. Carolyn Mercadante, President Claymont Historical Society
The internet web site, ARCHEOLOGY NEWS, carried a link to the NEWS JOURNAL, Robin Brown article of Feb. 26^th about Martha’s passing. CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE LINK “catched on the 26^th:	Marti was my best friend, she was maid-of-honor at my wedding, she was "Aunt Maddog" to my son, she loved to antagonize my husband, she was "family", she was my best friend... Wendy
THIS SPACE IS RESERVED FOR YOUR “REMEMBRANCE” OF MARTI (SEE EMAIL BELOW)

CLICK HERE … TO RETURN TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE

CLICK HERE … TO GO TO THE “DARLEY WEB SITE”

-------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------

Ray & Judith Hester

Darley Manor Inn, Claymont 1991-2004;

Murrells Inlet, SC 2005+