“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” - Helen Keller

Carol Martin Strange, 82, of Fort Myers, FL, passed away on August 8, 2023. She was born on February 18, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA, to the late George and Miriam Martin. Carol's life was devoted to her grandchildren, and she was affectionately known as "Granny" to all of them. Her infectious enthusiasm uplifted everyone around her, and her adventurous spirit and positive attitude inspired all who knew her.

Carol is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, H. Lawrence Strange, her children, H. Lawrence Strange Jr (Linda Celestian), Mary Elizabeth Greenplate (Gary Greenplate), and William Martin Strange (Stephanie Strange), as well as her brother, George Martin. She leaves behind a legacy of love and joy in the hearts of her grandchildren: Kimberly Greenplate, Taylor Strange, Savannah Strange, Ryan Greenplate, Katherine Strange, Delaney Strange, and Will Strange.

During her career, Carol worked at Abington Memorial Hospital, where she made a lasting impact on the lives of those she cared for. She was dedicated to her profession and brought compassion and kindness to her work. Summers were spent with her family operating the Discovery Seashell Museum and Shell Yard in Ocean City, NJ.

In her free time, Carol enjoyed various hobbies including sea turtle rescue, world travel,  seashell collecting, and spending time on the beaches of Ocean City, New Jersey and Sanibel Island, Florida. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world and actively contributed to its preservation.  Her work as a Trustee of The Martin Foundation made an ongoing impact on river and watershed conservation which represents many of the causes she cared most deeply about.

Carol was a wonderful woman who lived a full and meaningful life.  Her selfless volunteer work included Ding Darling, The Sanibel School and The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. She will always be remembered for her love of family and friends, her zest for life, and her commitment to making the world a better place.

Contributions in Carol’s name can be made to a cause that was close to her heart: 

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Sea Turtle Rescue

You can mail contributions to the address below or use this link to donate online

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation - Sea Turtle Rescue P.O. Box 839 Sanibel, FL 33957 

More about her work with the sea turtles and the SCCF organization can be found here.

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour” - William Blake

Read more about the wonderful life she lived as a Shell Seeker: 

https://sites.google.com/view/sanibelseashell/about-us