[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14697-14698]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S BELOVED MOLLY MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of 
Northwest Florida's beloved Molly Martin who passed away late August 
15, 2014. Molly was a passionate and devoted wife, mother, and 
grandmother and matriarch of McGuire's Irish Pub, a staple in Northwest 
Florida frequented not only by locals but tourists from around the 
world. The Gulf Coast community and all of the lives she touched with 
her warm demeanor and radiant personality mourn her loss.
   Born in Stamping Ground, Kentucky, on October 31, 1936, Molly 
eventually made her way to Pensacola, Florida, where she joined in 
marriage the love of her life, William ``McGuire'' Martin in 1977. In 
the same year, she and McGuire opened McGuire's Irish Pub in Pensacola, 
where McGuire served as the cook, bartender, and designer. Molly was 
the hostess, waitress and entertainer. McGuire and Molly's success only 
grew, and they expanded their franchise to Destin, Florida. They 
founded Flounders (Pensacola Beach) in 1982; McGuire's Irish Pub 
(Destin) in 1996; Crabs (Pensacola Beach) in 2000; and Vinny McGuire's 
Pizza (Destin) in 2011.

[[Page 14698]]

   To some, Molly will be remembered for her passion for singing; to 
others, she was an accomplished business woman; and to many of the 
young servicemembers stationed throughout the Gulf Coast, she became a 
mother away from home. Those who knew Molly best, however, will 
remember her heart full of love and her devotion to family. Molly was a 
loving daughter to Ralph Lee Parker and Edith Clare Wright-Parker; 
sister to Lena, Edna, Jean, and Evelyn; mother to Charmaine McGowan, 
Nannette McGowan, John David McGowan, Joseph Parker McGowan, Suzannah 
Darling McGowan, William (Billy) Nathaniel Martin, James Edward Martin, 
and Amy Elizabeth Martin; grandmother to twenty-four; great-grandmother 
to eight; aunt; and a loving wife to McGuire.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to honor the life of Mrs. Molly Martin. My wife Vicki and I 
offer our prayers and sincerest condolences to McGuire, her children, 
grandchildren and her entire family and friends. Molly's impact on 
Northwest Florida will never be forgotten, and she will truly be 
missed.

                          ____________________