Nina Martel Goetz

Nina Martel Goetz (nee Nina Denise Martel), 54, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on April 25, 2024, at home in Evanston. Born in Chicago, Nina was the eldest identical twin sister by nineteen minutes (“Thing One”/”Nini” and “Thing Two”/”Ceci”) and raised in Rogers Park. Nina graduated from Clinton elementary school, and attended Mather High School and Chrysalis Learning Community before studying Earth Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University. Nina loved motorcycles and rock and roll. She was whip-smart and one of the wittiest people around. She left innumerable funny voice memos, turned nearly every sentence into an acronym (tnesiaa), and authored the following line -- “there are thirteen commas in this paragraph”-- which she surreptitiously inserted at irregular intervals within her sister’s thesis. Nina was also the “Patron Saint of Everybody” as she always placed others first, sometimes to her own detriment. She was a fantastic mother who adored all the kids on her neighborhood block in South Evanston. In 1988, Nina saved her sister’s life by donating one of her kidneys. She answered inquiries as to the cause of her significant scar by dryly asserting that she was a magician’s assistant or had survived a shark attack. In 2017 and 2019 the Martel sisters made legacy trips to Turkey following their father’s death, where they connected with cousins. The sisters have relatives on four continents: North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Nina was endlessly loved and loving. Beloved wife of 25 years to Charles “Chaz” Mark Goetz (whose wits she matched); devoted mother of children she referred to as “Charleah” - Charles “Charlie” Ambrose (partner Andrea De Abreu E Gouvea) and Leah Louise Goetz. Cherished twin sister of Elise Martel (Julian) Cohen; loving aunt of Gabriel, Saul, Isaac, and the late Adam “Manny” Emanuel Cohen; dear cousin of Esta (Neil Lindenbaum) Miller and Moshe Miller, and “kuzen” of the Feri, Başak, and Tuntas families of Istanbul, Türkiye. There is nothing in this universe Nina was prouder of than her children. Upon bringing Charlie into the world – sans meds or profanity – she looked upon him and said “this can’t be Charlie… I know this face already” and whispered “hello again”. Leah -- being Leah -- had her own plans and tried to greet the world bass-ackwards. Nina accommodated Leah’s arrival (many meds and much profanity) and backed the spirit of her fierce “monstah star fish” ever since. Nina will be greatly missed by true friends Emalee Dana and “The Devon Girls” --Holly, Shana, and Sophia. Nina is preceded in death by her parents, the late George Martel and Susan Joy (Shoshana Simcha) Martel (nee Mullen). Please hold your loved ones closely. Nina would wish for us to “keep on swimming”. The family has chosen a traditional Jewish Tahara to bring Nina’s body into a state of grace. As she was also a woman of fire, the family has chosen a private cremation. Celebration of Life, Saturday, July 20th, 1-4pm, Evanston American Legion Post # 42 located on the Canal Shores Community Golf Course (near the Chandler Newberger Center). The address of the Post is 1030 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to The Ark Chicago https://arkchicago.org/. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Nina Martel Goetz

April 6, 1970 - April 25, 2024