In Memory

Marti Manigold

Marti Manigold

Plane crash was cause of death. 



 
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12/19/08 12:29 PM #1    

Suellen Etzcorn (Foster)

Marti and I became best friends in the 6th grade. From K to 5th grade, I went to Westside School in Niles. My 6th grade year I was suddenly transfered to Central School, where I knew no one. The change was very scary for me because I didn't grow up with my new classmates and at that time, believe it or not, I was very shy and insecure. But from day one at Central School, Marti Manigold made me feel comfortable and accepted.

I will never forget the first day of my new school. We were on the playground sitting on the swings. I thought she was so fashionable in her fishnet stockings (which my mother would NEVER allow me to wear to school) and her cool, plaid, Bobbbie Brooks outfit. I'm sure she was just as curious about the quiet, new girl, in a home made dress and knee high stockings.
Marti knew everyone at Central. She was very popular, cool and confident and I wanted to be just like her! I was the shy, new girl at school and she went to great lengths to befriend me and protect me from the "mean" girls, which Central had plenty of.

Marti was well liked by boys and for the first time in my life, thanks to Marti, I discovered BOYS! I kissed boys. I went steady with boys. I flirted with boys. I wrote notes to boys. I got in trouble with boys. I wore boys rings. I held boys hands. I broke up with boys. BOYS-BOYS-BOYS! Among others, Steve Merica, Chad Baumgart and Mike Chapman were our loyal subjects and Marti and I swapped boyfriends almost as much as we swapped sweaters. It was all so new and exciting, and I shared it all with my new, best friend, Marti Manigold!

Marti was the youngest of three, so she was heavily influenced by her older siblings music, makeup and mindsets. She in turn, influenced me and I loved every minute of it! I looked forward to every weekend when I could spend the night at HER house, live in HER world and pretend like I was older and wiser than I actually was! It was the best year of my life and helped define the person I would eventually become!

There would never be another year like 6th grade for Marti and I. We were again separated by schools on opposite ends of town. Thanks to my friend Marti, I transitioned into Jr. High a much more confident, out-going girl. By the time we were again reunited in high school, we had developed our own clicks and circles. Sadly, we were never close friends again.

I suspect Marti's jr. high and/or high school years must have brought some new and difficult challenges for her since she no longer seemed like the confident, happy-go-lucky person I had known from Central School. It makes me sad that I didn't take the time to talk to her in high school to find out what, if any, her burdens were.

I heard about Marti's death while I was studying for an exam in my dorm room during my freshmen year at W.M.U., so she must have passed away in 1975 or 76'. The details of a plane crash were being reported on the radio station I just happened to be listenting to - fate? When I heard Marti's name as one of those killed in the crash, I was in shock! I immediately called home to talk to my mom and confirm the news. The finality of Marti's death made me feel like I was dead as well. I did not go to her funeral/memorial as I just couldn't understand death and our own immortality at that time. As as adult, I regret that decision.

But to this day and on, I will remember the vibrant, happy, confident girl, Marti Manigold, who taught me so much about life as a young girl struggling to grow up and be noticed.

I will always love you, Marti.

11/01/23 09:46 PM #2    

Susan Botts (Flowers--Class Of '75)

https://austinscovilldrakeandhughes.blogspot.com/2013/11/?m=1
Found a cousin talking about Marti and the plane crash
"In 1975, I was listening to the radio and there was a news report that a small plane had crashed over by Niles, Michigan. The pilot and three passengers were killed. One of the passengers was a Marti Manigold who was a year younger than myself. Years later, I wonder why we never followed up on that, why we didn't go to a funeral or something. Then I remembered that it was right around this time (January 8) that my mom was diagnosed with cancer and we probably weren't thinking about anything else.

In the last couple of years I've done some random sporadic research and have found absolutely nothing. Then, I found a tribute to my cousin Marti Manigold -- also known as Martha Ellen Manigold -- that's right -- same first and middle name and our birthdays are 1 day and one year apart. She writer and classmate of Marti, wrote lovingly about her, but there wasn't any details that I could track down. I even tried to track the writer down but no such luck. Back on the back burner."

WATERVLIET, Mich., Jan. 8 (UPI)—A pilot and three women> passengers were killed today.when a single‐engine plane crashed during a rainstorm south of Watervliet. Robert Black, 29 years old, the pilot, of Cherry Hill, N. J., Julie Johnson, 24, and Martha Marigold;. 18, both of Niles, Mich., were identified as victims. The third woman's name was withheld pending notification of kin.

11/02/23 11:03 AM #3    

Toni Bodjack (Bruegmann)

Sue, what a beautiful tribute to your friend. I think you hit the nail on the head. How many of us have heard of the passing of an old friend or acquaintance and said, "I wish... Or if only...". The best we can hope for is to do better going forward.

11/03/23 04:57 PM #4    

Bev Wildeman (Blake)

     Thank you Sue for the tribute.  I got to be friends with Marti in high school. We did some crazy stuff!  I'm not surprised that she died, with a person who wasn't a pilot, in a late night flight. I was devastated!

     Marti and I used to cut each other's hair. We'd flip our hair over our heads, cut a straight line and poof instant shag!  

     When we were seniors,Marti's' mom moved out of the apartment and left her to her own devices!  We did a couple of illegal things but stayed away from  the law!  Besides, it's legal now!  Lol  

     Like Sue, I remember her fondly and can't forget some of the crazier things we did  

thank you Marti  rest in peace

 

 


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