Wife of Ariz. treasurer dies after childbirth

This is such a devastating story. It's so odd because I was just blogging about our maternal death rate not too long ago.

Wife of Ariz. treasurer dies after childbirth

Like any couple expecting their first child, state Treasurer Dean Martin and his wife were jubilant about the coming addition to their family.

Dean Martin liked to refer to the child as "LT," for "Little Treasurer," and made up a baby outfit bearing the words, "Deposits up front, withdrawals in back."

Martin's joy turned to anguish late Monday, when his wife, Kerry Martin, died of complications from childbirth, a rare event that stunned friends and colleagues. Martin stood vigil at the bedside of his son, Austin Michael Martin, who was listed in critical condition Tuesday at an undisclosed hospital.

Kerry's death saddened city employees in Phoenix, where she worked to promote youth-swimming programs, and shocked those at the state Capitol, where her husband rose quickly from the Legislature to become a statewide elected official poised to one day run for governor.

Kerry, 34, died at 11:53 p.m. Monday, about four hours after delivering an 8-pound, 21.5-inch baby boy. Dean's spokeswoman, Kimberly Yee, would not say what complications led to Kerry's death, or in what hospital the death occurred.

"Words cannot describe the grief I share with so many due to the sudden and tragic loss of Mrs. Kerry Martin," Gov. Jan Brewer said in a statement.

"Kerry was a kind, hard-working, eternally optimistic young lady, a tremendous leader in her own right."

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