Valedictorian of the JHS class of 1949, Ms. McMartin graduated cum laude in mathematics from Vassar College in 1964; received a Master’s degree from Hunter College; and earned a PhD in mathematics from the Graduate Division of City University of New York.

In 1972 she became involved with the environmental movement in the Adirondacks, leading to her service as board member and officer of the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks. Between 1974 and 2003 Ms. McMartin was a member of two High Peaks Advisory Committees and chairwoman of the Forest Preserve Advisory Committee, where she helped to write many Department of Environmental Conservation policies. During this time she was also a volunteer curator for the Caroga Lake Historical Museum and the Fulton County Museum; wrote a series of pamphlets and citizen’s guides for the Adirondack Park Agency; and chaired the Adirondack Park Centennial at the request of Governor Mario Cuomo.

Ms. McMartin was the prolific author of twenty-five guidebooks and histories, including “The Great Forest of the Adirondacks”, “The Privately Owned Adirondacks”, and the popular eleven book “Discover the Adirondacks” regional series. She also published many magazine articles, held photograph exhibits of her work and gave numerous guest lectures. The New York Daily News once dubbed her “the Rand McNally of upstate New York” for her knowledge of the Adirondacks.



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