January 18, 1934 – September 20, 2026
Martha Collison of Carbondale, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Sept. 20. She was 92.
Martha spent much of her early life in California, where she built a career in education, real estate and public service. In 1985, Martha became the mayor of Laguna Beach, California. A longtime resident of Laguna, she had reluctantly stepped onto the political stage and served Laguna for four years. But she was already well known for her extraordinary leadership abilities and her very grounded sense of logic and fairness. Add her great sense of humor, and she accomplished a very successful and productive term. Her passion for the community was always boundless and full of zeal, as it was for life.
Before and after her council service, Martha was always very active with the same zeal and energy. With a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree from Whittier College, Martha became a teacher and guidance counselor in Temple City. She moved up to vice principal at Foothill High School in Tustin. In 1976, she entered the real estate business in Laguna and was very shortly the manager of Nolan Real Estate.
After years of visiting and working in Colorado, it was no surprise that Martha and Dar opened a general store with a small café and gas station in her second home of Redstone, Colorado. She sold memorable T-shirts that read: “Stop, eat & get gas!”
In 1996, they purchased Skyline Ranch in the Roaring Fork Valley of Carbondale, Colorado, which became their retirement home. Both Martha and Dar shared a passion for animals, particularly their quarter horses. The ranch accommodated boarding facilities for horses and dogs, along with Martha’s personal accumulation of cats, mini horses and donkeys, chickens, rabbits and tortoises.
But Martha’s bigger claim to fame was her two matching black Percheron draft horses that pulled a beautiful carriage, which Martha drove. Martha did special events, weddings and parades with this team, whom she named “Tom and Dick…and she was Harry!” A lifelong horsewoman, Martha won her final buckle at the age of 83 during a Western Slope horse show.
Martha was also very well known for her rather enthusiastic cooking and the literally thousands of meals she prepared, entertaining friends and family, and always with a party atmosphere.
The stories of Martha, her many accomplishments, her antics and her huge circle of friends are significant, and we pay tremendous homage to her special legacy, catapulted by a huge and gentle heart. We also extend sincere condolences to her partner of 56 years, Darlyne Woodward.
A ceremony celebrating Martha’s life will be held at Skyline Ranch on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 6pm.