Marty Fujita, author, environmental activist, local food advocate, non profit leader, and part-time green editor of the Chestertown Spy, lost her battle against cancer Monday morning. She was 56 years old and lived in Ojai, California.
Marty Fujita and daughter Dana
Dr. Fujita began her career after graduating from Boston University as evolutionary biologist whose book, Archipelago: the Islands of Indonesia, co-authored with Gavan Daws, celebrates the travels and discoveries of the great naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. Fujita was the founding director of the Nature Conservancy’s Indonesia program, and more recently co-founder and current president of Food for Thought, a farm to school program in Ojai, CA. Marty also serves on the board of Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation.
While serving as the green editor of the Chestertown Spy, Dr. Fujita was instrumental in promoting local food, and moderated a forum in the fall of 2009 in conjunction with the Spy’s special showing of Food Inc. at the Prince Theatre, a fundraiser for Colchester Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture project.
She is survived by her husband, Chuck Cook, and her two daughters, Dana and Taylor.
Jackie Clark says
Marty,
Was the most passionate person regarding the planet, and the food we grow I’ve ever known.
Her energy and smile will be deeply missed by all.
Blessing to her and her family.
Greg North says
So sad! As an organic vegetable and fruit grower in Kent County, Marty has been an inspiration to all the organic food growers in Kent Countyt and beyond. We will plant this coming Spring (should the snow melt) in her memory. “Food For Thought” is a good cause if you care to donate to Marty’s life of commitment to the wholesome food we grow. We will miss her.
Alexandra Fairfield says
Marty has many friends back on the East Coast as well who remember her fun and fiery personality and her professionalism in all things having to do with ecology and conservation biology. She was loved by many and her passing has made a hole in our lives. May we all ‘take up the cause’, now that Marty is gone, and work toward our shared goals with increased effort and determination to make up for her absence. She’d like that. Aloha, my friend!