Mary Scott Martinson
1930-Nov. 21, 2025
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Leslie Martinson

Scotty was born in White Plains, New York to Erline and Franklin Scott. With beloved younger brother David, they moved to Berea, Ohio in 1938. She studied theater at Denison University, married, and completed a teaching certificate at Indiana University. After cold winters in Wisconsin and Minnesota she moved to San Francisco. In the next years she welcomed children Anders, Leslie, and Janet, moving to live near Washington, DC. The family later returned to California, settling in Palo Alto.

She studied early childhood education, and worked for many years as a nursery school teacher. In California, Scotty worked in graphic design, managing the print department at a tech company. She shifted to editing math textbooks, making lifelong friends with her fellow editors.

Scotty took every opportunity to travel, listing 67 trips in her notes, including many theatre tours in London. With Friendship Force International she stayed with families in Chile, Japan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and more, also hosting visitors.

A longtime member of the American Association of University Women, she enjoyed Bay Area adventures with the “Gadabouts” group, and monthly play readings. Scotty was active to the end, enjoying walks at Shoreline park, weekly phone calls with friend David, attending dance performances, No Kings protests, playing bridge, and book club gatherings.

In late November, she succumbed to pneumonia, surrounded by her children, in the home where she lived for 53 years. She is survived by son Anders, his wife Juneko, grandchildren Irene and Daniel, and great-grandchild Daniel Jr.; daughter Leslie; and daughter Janet and grandchild Zavia.