Mary “Faye” Burnside Martin, born April 25th 1937, ascended to heaven Thursday, Sept 9th 2021.
Faye descended from a founding family of Pasco County. Those connections spread wide through the Burnside and DeRosier families, and of course her own. She took immense pride in her family, and her faith, and will be greatly missed by both family and community. The following is a tribute to her extraordinary life and the lasting legacy she leaves behind:
Faye was raised in San Antonio, FL and attended Holy Name Academy (St. Leo College). She was studying for her degree in education at Dayton University in Ohio when she met Jerome “Jerry” Martin in drama class. Her greatest desire was to have a large family; and she decided to stand up for the life of her own choosing by breaking away from her education early to marry Jerry at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in San Antonio, FL.
Together, they raised their growing family in Tampa, FL, even as their TV characters, “Barney Bungelupper” and “Marigold,” the fairy princess, delighted kids and families throughout central Florida.
Being Barney Bungelupper’s (Jerry’s) wife was no small task, either. She was at the ready as Marigold, the Fairy Princess, while maintaining her full-time job as mother to the 5 toe-headed children they had at the time.
Faye’s intuitive musical talent and Jerry’s signature comedic genius fostered a nurturing environment where creativity thrived. Early on, the Martin residence became known as a wheelhouse of music, laughter and loving acceptance. On any given day this was evidenced by a number of neighborhood kids crowding in with everyone else to be included in the warmth of laughter and family camaraderie.
Faye focused greatly on being a positive force in the lives of others; and had a well-spring of energy, which she needed as a mother of 8 and all of their friends!
When it came to her family, she was kind and generous, and ‘momma-bear fierce’.
Faye’s fortitude as the matriarch of the Martins is seen in each of her children, grandchildren, and extended family and will endure for many generations to come. She left behind a legacy of love not only in our hearts, but in writing. As a talented poet, her collection of poems about her children and grandchildren is aptly titled just that, “A Legacy of Love”.
In it she reflects on the individual talents of each of her progeny and drills down to reveal the nuanced personality traits unique to each of their lives. Throughout her poetry you catch glimpses of the insights and wisdom she had. She was working to collect decades worth of her poems to put into a new book, and we look forward to helping her complete that.
Faye was a remarkable woman with a ground shaking faith that galvanized not just her family, but the world around her. Everybody knew, if you needed prayer – you called Faye! She was a prayer warrior! Throughout her life, Faye’s approach to challenges and hardships reflected her unshakeable trust in God to manage those things that were beyond her control or understanding. She exemplified the true walk of faith with a forgiving spirit, and maintained a joyful, optimistic outlook. When Jerry passed away in 2015, even in her grief, Faye’s strength and abiding faith provided comfort and shelter for those around her through this loss, the worst storm of their lives.
Her eternal legacy is in each life she has inspired to faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. For us yet earthbound sojourners in faith, her departure isn’t “good bye”, but “see you again, soon”.
For now, the Jester and his Fairy Princess are reunited….and they are living happily ever after.
Faye is preceded in death by Jerry who passed away in 2015 and is survived by her 8 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and the many that she mothered and grand-mothered as though they were her very own.
The service was held on Monday Sept. 20th at First Baptist Church in Dade City, FL. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family’s fundraiser at https://gofund.me/605cc960
Published 09-22-21
