Cassandra Martin

Cassandra May Martin, 20, died July 13, 2012, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near Durango. Memorial services will take place at a later date in Washington. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango.

Ms. Martin was born January 5, 1992, in Redmond, Wash., the daughter of Lane Martin and Tracy Gilbert. She grew up and attended schools in Redmond, graduating from Cedar Crest High School in 2010. She researched many colleges, but it was Fort Lewis that called out to her. She and her boyfriend, John Nichols, had known each other since December of 2009 and they both moved to Durango. She embraced the "culture" of Durango and enjoyed all the outdoor activities associated with the town. She especially enjoyed hiking and river rafting. She had been employed at Walgreens for a short time, and then at the Durango Pet Resort. But she was currently working at the Hydration Station and "really enjoyed it," recalls her family. They also said, "She was an animal lover and wanted to pursue a future career to help the welfare of animals." She would walk friend's dogs whenever she could and also enjoyed reading. She was currently collecting her grandmother's recipes and baked a great banana bread.

She is survived by John Nichols (longtime boyfriend and soul mate) of Hesperus, Colo., and other family members in Washington: Tracy Gilbert (mother), Lane Martin (father), Sean Gilbert (uncle), Gina Luckie (aunt), Jeff Gilbert (uncle), Scott Martin (uncle), Susanna & Rick Gilbert (grandparents), and numerous cousins and other nephews. She also had Bailey and Molly (her beloved dogs) and Black Jack and Gray Boy (her beloved cats).

Memorial contributions may be made to La Plata County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2164, Durango CO 81302, www.lpchumanesociety.org.