Marlys Ann (Marty) Pemberton Lemnah
ST. ALBANS: Marty Lemnah passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at home. She was born February 26,1947, to Elaine C. (Owczarzak) Pemberton and John L. Pemberton.
Marty was a proud Native American and was an enrolled member of the Ojibwa Indian Tribe of White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. She was raised in Minneapolis, MN and joined the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from Minneapolis Vocational High School in 1965. She was honorably discharged in 1968.
While serving in the Navy she met and married the love of her life MSGT Richard Lemnah in September 1968. After he was killed in action in Beirut, Lebanon (1983), Marty made her permanent home in Richard’s home state of Vermont.
Marty graduated from Marymount University with a BSN and spent her nursing career working mostly in Hospice and Palliative care. She became the second nurse in Vermont to be board certified as a Hospice/Palliative Care Nurse. Her last “patient” was her longtime partner, Reginald Richard, who passed away in 2008.
She was every bit a caregiver at heart and was very generous. She was an active community member and was proud to have served as the Councilwoman for Ward 1. Marty was a member of the American Legion Post #1 St. Albans, VT and was very active at the local, state and national levels. She held multiple positions and served on countless committees within the organization but was most proud of becoming the first female Post Commander and the first female Department of Vermont Commander and serving as the National Executive Committee person. She was a Gold Star honorary member of the Marine Corps League and helped with Toys for Kids. She worked with the Foster Grandparent program, also prepared food for Martha’s Kitchen, was a member of the Girls State program, and Girl Scouts of America.
Marty is survived by her sisters Kathleen (Melvin Lockwood) Hiekke, Rena (James) Nessler, brother and sisters-in-law, Robert (Sandra) Lemnah, Reba Lemnah, a special niece, Gina Nessler and her children; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, her mother, Elaine, partner, Reginald, and brothers-in-law, Harold, Ronald and Faye (Sue) Lemnah.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Legion Charities, The American Legion Donation Processing, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis IN 46206, or Vermont Paws & Boots P.O. Box 153, Williston, VT 05495.
There will be calling hours at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main St., St. Albans, VT from 4-7 pm on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Angels Church, 245 Lake St. St. Albans, VT at 11 AM on Friday July 16, 2021, with a reception to follow at the American Legion 100 Parah Dr. St Albans, VT. Burial will take place at the Veterans Cemetery in Randolph, VT on Monday July 19, 2021, at 1 pm.
Honored to be serving the Lemnah family is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
