Nancy Marie (Martino) Tobey

July 12, 1933 — November 16, 2018

There is one thing about Nancy everyone will agree on: she had a great passion for life. When she expressed herself, it was heartfelt. Be it her children, the Navy, the United States of America, the Republican Party or presidential politics, you always knew where she stood.

Nancy was born in Malden, Massachusetts to Gertrude ‘Chicken’ and ‘Papa Dom’ Martino. Her two beloved sisters, Suzanne and Trudy, followed.

While they were still kids, the family moved to the Panama Canal Zone in 1939 for Papa Dom's architectural work. Once the war broke out they remained until 1945.

Upon returning to the Boston area just before Christmas, everyone got severe colds so they moved to the hot climate of Phoenix, Arizona where the family remained, some even to this day.

After Good Samaritan School of Nursing, Nancy joined the U.S. Navy in 1955. She served in San Diego, then Guantánamo Bay, Cuba at the time of the Bay of Pigs. She helped in the care of wounded from that action.

After ‘Gitmo,’ Nancy was transferred to National Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD where she and Raymond met. They married in 1963.

The Navy discharged Nancy when children started arriving. She had served more than nine years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. But she remained active in Navy life as Ray and the family were transferred to one duty station after another, including Yokosuka, Japan. The last was the Naval Regional Medical Center, Philadelphia, where Ray retired in 1982.

Nancy was active with The Navy Nurse Corps Association, numerous political activities, and many warm, close friends and families. Extensive travel was a particular joy, including Europe, South America, and Asia as well as all over the United States.

Nancy had a special touch with people including Kim, Meg, Frédérine, Carmen, and inherited son Jerry. Each was appreciative of Nancy's interest and closeness and regarded her as a second mother.

Her special pride was son Ray, son Dom and his wife Wendy, and daughter Christina. Nancy was blessed with three grandchildren, Oliver, Amelia and Max. She even came to appreciate her grand dogs, Doctor Szantos, Madame Amiry, and Fraulein Enja.

Interment will be at the National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Michael Denny, Chicken's grandfather, was discharged from the Civil War at the same Naval hospital where Dad eventually became commanding officer.