It is very difficult to say goodbye to someone you’ve known for many years. Martha was such an inspiration to me.
Though I have known her for around 40 years, I remember the first time we met personally at Judy Cain’s Aerobics class. I was wearing a water ski t-shirt and she questioned me, “Do you water ski?” I said “Yes” and we just hit it off right away.
Bonding with Martha
Waterskiiers are always looking for other skiiers, not only do they share common interest but state regulations say you need a boat driver, an observer and a skiier. Martha invited me to ski with her, she added, “I can go any day but Tuesday, that is the day I play tennis. Jim Fritz drove the boat for us, he was not only the love of her life, but the best boat driver for keeping the speed Martha loved for trick skiing and slalom skiing.
One morning when we were skiiing and Martha had just done an awesome performance on the water by adding a little dance routine, Jim turned to me and said, “Once a ham always a ham.”
They truly were a happy and loving couple. Martha was introduced to waterskiing by her late husband Jim Fritz and it was no exception when that mystical attachment fell upon her that day at Howie’s on Turkeyfoot Lake 55 years ago.
Martha’s love
Martha Galvin (Fritz) and Jim spent their first day together waterskiing. The handsome Jim Fritz had asked the lovely Martha Galvin to try her skills on the water since she was such a good swimmer and dancer. Martha and Jim fell in love and were married on Feb. 2 three years later they were together until Jim Fritz passed away in 2007.
We met Martha a couple of times a month at Anthe’s for a late snack. Martha was a petite woman with alot of spunk. She was a ball of fire not only on the water but on the ski slopes as well. She loved Crested Butte in Colorado where she visited many years.
Martha the dancer
Martha taught dance in Massillon and Portage Lakes. She owned a studio in Massillon for many years, then went to work with her daughter Judy Cain. Martha was so proud of her daughter Judy and absolutely loved working with her where she was able to stay active and socialize and dance. Martha was a national champion water skier and was honored at the National Water Skiiers Hall of Fame last year. She exhibited such poise and grace on the water that she was recognized immediately skiing with one leg up or in the backwards swan with her double skier and friend Lucille Borgan. Her aquatic ability and beauty made her a star show skier who presented many memorable ski shows throughout the area and around the state.
Martha my friend
I find it even harder to find the words at how saddened I am by her loss, but we can all only hope to live for a life as full as Martha. I don’t want to focus on how Martha died, I would much rather remember how she lived life to the fullest. Martha always had a smile on face and a dance in her heart.
To my friend Martha, I can only say you are terribly missed. Your zest for life and tremendous personality have made an impact on the lives of many.
