Nancy Buchanan Martin passed away on April 22, 2026, at the Wake Robin retirement community after a short illness. She was 89 years old.
Nancy was born in Arlington, Mass., to John and Merriam Buchanan. After moving from Somerville, Mass., to Bennington, Vt., as a child, Nancy found that she loved Vermont and made many new friends.
Nancy met her future husband, Allen Martin of Burlington, on a blind date, and they were married on June 25, 1955. They were married for 69 years, until Allen’s passing in March 2024. While Allen started and ran his new car company in South Burlington (Almartin Motors), Nancy was a homemaker, raising their three children at their South Burlington home. First, they had twin girls, Karin and Kathy, followed by a son, Peter. Although the car business was going well, “Al” had his eye on another business venture and purchased Point Bay Marina in Charlotte from bankruptcy. Nancy and Al moved their young family to Charlotte. They owned Point Bay Marina for 38 years and lived there for much of that time, later moving to their home on Guinea Road before eventually relocating to Wake Robin.
Boating continued to be a big part of Nancy and Al’s life for years. They kept their 42-foot yacht, the Nancy Ann, at Point Bay. For years, they gave rides to seniors and many others on Lake Champlain. Nancy and Al spent winters at their Florida residence in Englewood, where they were also avid boaters. Nancy was an avid golfer, enjoying many outings over the years on various golf courses with “the girls.” Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Allen. She was also predeceased by her daughter Kathryn; son, Peter; nephew, Brennan Martin; brothers, Donald and David Buchanan; and sister, Janet Bellemare.
Nancy leaves behind her daughter Karin Small (Gary); grandsons, Matthew (Mikayla) and Justin Small; granddaughter, Andrea Martin; great-grandchildren, Sadie, Mercy and Mason; and brother-in-law, Bernie Bellemare.
“Nanny” will be missed by many — her smiles, energy, generosity and willingness to always lend a hand. Those who wish to make a donation may consider the Charlotte Senior Center or the Vermont Cancer Society. There will be no formal service but a smaller gathering with family at a later date.
Arrangements are in the care of the Chittenden County Cremation Society, a division of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.