RUBY Martin, the philanthropist who had, along with a team, been leading a spirited campaign to save the Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston, has died.

Martin died last night, her family confirmed this afternoon.

She had been forced to relinquish her role in the Ward Theatre Foundation due to ill health.

Martin, the widow of former St Andrew Custos Dr John Martin, was in 2010 conferred with the Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD) for her charitable work at both the Maxfield Park Children's Home and the Ward Theatre, two institutions with which her name had become synonymous.

The Ward Theatre, twice as old as Independent Jamaica, was ravaged some years ago by several hurricanes and has never fully recovered, despite the efforts of Martin and others.

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