La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Shayla Kathleen Martin, 52, was born in Peoria, Illinois on November 26, 1963 to Rollin and Judith Martin. She was taken from us unexpectedly on Friday, September 23.

Shayla was raised in California and Washington, and came to reside in Mount Vernon, Washington in 1971. That same year, her family bought Pizza Pete, where she worked with her parents and sisters, Karen and “Christy.” Later, she graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1981.

Shayla worked extensively throughout the Skagit Valley area, finally making a career for herself at Macy’s — The Bon — where she spent 25 years. She enjoyed working and making people feel beautiful inside and out, sharing warmth and kindness and always greeting people with a smile.

Shayla was a loving mother and grandmother. On Valentine’s Day, 1994, she adopted her daughter Tanya Young. While raising her daughter and two step-children, Pam and Brandon, in La Conner, Washington, she supported them unconditionally in all their endeavors.

She was a diverse woman with many interests. Some of which include garage sales, thrift store shopping, rock collecting, cooking, gardening, reading, watching the Seattle Seahawks and most of all, spending time with her family.

She found passion in all she did and shared that with others every chance she could. She continually carried herself with grace, beauty and class.

Shayla Martin was a bright light of love and strength in the lives of all who knew her. She will be missed dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rollin and Judith Orvis Martin and her sister Christy Martin.

Shayla is survived by her grandmother, Eula Nunley; uncle, Mike Fox; her sister; Karen Van Horn (Fred Cedarquist) and her two sons, Tyler and Shaun Van Horn; her niece, Amy Martin and her three children; step-daughter, Pamela Keller (Dustin) and her two children; step-son, Brandon Young and his three children, and her daughter, Tanya Young.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 8, at 12 noon at La Conner Elementary School gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Shayla Martin’s name to futureswithoutviolence.org. Please share your memories of Shayla with her family and sign her online guest register at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.