Editor's note: The following was received from Anna Clarke concerning the death on May 3 in Aiken, S.C., of Martha Kenney Christensen, who served as Upper School head and dean of students at Antilles School prior to her retirement.
A memorial service was held on May 23 at the school in the Martha Kenney Christensen Courtyard, named in her honor when she retired. She also was honored by the establishment of the Martha Kenney Christensen Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to Antilles students each year.
Martha Kenney Christensen: a Eulogy from a Friend
Very little has (unfortunately) been said about Martha in the press, but Martha was very much a part of St. Thomas for over 30 years. She imprinted herself on the Antilles School students and staff and innumerable friends who miss her very much and mourn the loss through death of an incredible woman who lived life to the full and chose to leave on her own terms.
What a girl! What a lady! Martha came back to St. Thomas regularly — and a couple of years ago came back after Headmaster Mark Marin died following an accident at his house. We had a chat about life in general. I worked in the medical field for many years and mentioned that I don't go to physicians for regular checkups because I feel that I've lived a very long and interesting life and that if something came up wrong, I would not want to know and certainly — in the event of something catastrophic — would not want to go through debilitating treatments to maybe cure me. Martha was in total agreement.
I didn't know until after Martha died that after a hysterectomy a couple of years ago, she was told that she had uterine cancer and a treatment regimen was advised which she rejected. A follow-up visit revealed metastases, and Martha was advised to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment, which she declined. Martha lived and died as were her druthers, and God bless her! I loved Martha a whole bunch. I feel incredibly honoured to have known Martha K. Christensen. What a lady!
Anna Clarke
St. Thomas
