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Martha “Marty” Louise Gaskin, 82, died on December 26, 2023, after complications from COVID and related infections. She resided at Cedar Ridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Pilot Point, TX. Martha was born on April 7, 1941, to Herbert and Carrie (Magness) Gaskin in Austin, TX. Martha graduated from Travis High School in 1959 and then attended the University of Texas where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors in 1964. She taught at Allan Junior High in Austin and later moved to Texarkana, TX where she was a special education teacher at the Texarkana Special Education Center. She retired from Trice Elementary as a beloved teacher with a knack for engaging students with a range of unique abilities. She mentored several young teachers whose passion was working with students and adults with different cognitive and physical abilities. Martha could easily be called an “adventuress” given her active love for horse-back riding, camping, cheering on the University of Texas Longhorns and the Houston Astros, and travel. Having survived polio as a child that caused progressive weakness in her arms and legs, she was insistent on living a full life and enjoyed riding Tennessee Walking Horses for several years. Martha got her first horse at age 43 (in 1984). After qualifying for the Arkansas State Championship for three years in a row, she won the Ladies Gated Class in 1987 on a horse named “Stars When It Rains”. Although riding and showing horses became increasingly difficult, Martha continued to pursue her passion into the early 2000s. Post-Polio Syndrome continued to impact Martha’s physical stamina with increased fatigue and muscle weakness, but she didn’t let that stop her. She turned her sights to raising longhorns in Mississippi and then (despite her children NOT approving!) took two tandem sky dives at SkyDive SpaceLand in Rosharon, TX. Martha was an avid dog lover, owner, and advocate for abused animals. She spent the last four years with Joy (VIII) from Canine Companions, a national organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to the recipient. Joy assisted Mom with daily tasks and as a loving companion at Cedar Ridge. Joy immediately won over the staff and other residents who always loved to interact with her. Martha is survived by two children, Holly Hutchins (Brandy Gibson) of Denton, TX and Garry Hutchins (Alex Martinez) of Austin, TX; and two granddaughters, Avery Lim and Charlotte Gibson. She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jim Gaskin and Herbert Gaskin, Jr. A celebration of Martha’s life will be held at Slay Memorial Funeral Center, 400 US-377, Aubrey, TX 76227 on January 6, 2024, at 2:00PM. A family graveside service will be held on January 12, 2024, at 2:00PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin, TX. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to a no-kill animal shelter of your choice or making a donation to Canine Companions to help provide trained service dogs to individuals with disabilities. Arrangements are under the direction of Bradley Shotts and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

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Martha Louise Gaskin

April 7, 1941 - December 26, 2023