RIP: IDA MAE MARTINEZ (SELENKOW) (01.19.10)
20. Jan, 2010 
7 Comments
Ida Mae Martinez, one of the leading lady wrestlers of a half-century ago, passed away late in the afternoon of January 19, 2010. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 20, in Pikesville, Maryland.
Born in Connecticut, Ida Mae Selenkow was abandoned by her mother, then ran away from abusive guardians at the age of 15. On her own, this diminutive lady became a classic example of the indomitable nature of the human spirit.
She bravely entered the wrestling profession through Billy Wolfe’s booking office in Columbus, Ohio in 1950, and by 1952 had become the champion of Mexico. Her career continued throughout the decade, as she wrestled against many in Wolfe’s stable across North America, and had particularly tough matches with Mildred Burke and Nell Stewart. After retiring from the ring in 1960, Ida Mae set out to conquer life with her eye fixed firmly on a dream.
She completed high school by earning a GED certificate in 1971, then in 1975 achieved an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Striving further, Ida Mae obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in 1980, and as an RN became a team leader and charge nurse. The summit of the mountain came in 1990, when she earned a Master’s Degree with Honors, and was inducted into the International Honor Society of Nursing. Her subsequent work in the area of home treatment of AIDS patients, conducted through the world-famed Johns Hopkins Hospital of Baltimore, inspired her to author a paper that has become part of the medical literature.
Ida Mae served a number of years on the CAC Board of Directors. In 2006, she received the inaugural Senator Hugh Farley Award from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, New York in recognition of her contributions to society as well as her ring accomplishments. She appeared in the documentary movie “Lipstick and Dynamite”, which chronicled the highs and lows of ladies’ wrestling in her era.
Ida Mae was also a world-acclaimed master of yodeling, a difficult musical specialty. As CAC director Tom Burke said in noting her passing, “Yodel your heart out, sweetheart!”
The Cauiflower Alley Club offers its condolences on Ida Mae’s passing to her daughter, Ida Sanger, and family and friends.
God has got his hands full. I can hear the Kayfabbing going on upstairs. Three amazing women, Killem Gillem, Ida Mae AND Moolah. They don’t make them like these ladies anymore.
There was only one Ida May, small in statue but huge of heart. Babs and I spent many hours during coffee or breakfast over the 25 plus years she attended the CAC reunions, especially she loved the Studio City ones where every year she bought another fancier leather jacket, next to the Sportsmans Lodge. She will be missed by all who really knew her.
Ms. Ida was a wonderful lady that I had the pleasure of knowing for the last 13 years. She will be truly missed.
MY WIFE PEGGY PATTERSON A FORMER PRO WOMAN WRESTLER HER SELF AND I FIRST MET IDA MAE IN L.A. IN 1993…IT WAS MY FIRST CAC CONVENTION….I ALWAYS ENJOYED GOING THERE AND MEETING NOT ONLY THE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN WRESTLERS BUT, ALSO SOME OF THE STARS OF MOVIES AND TV…LIKE IDA MAE, I WAS ALSO PROUD TO HAVE A SMALL ROLE IN THE MOVIE “LIPSTICK AND DYNAMITE”….WE WISH TO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY AND RELATIVES, WE SHALL MISS HER VERY MUCH …KARL AND PEGGY…………
Ida was a good friend for the past 4 or 5 years and one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. I kept in touch with her by telephone for years. I’ll miss out conversations.
I met Ida sometime in the early 70’s when I was relatively new in the business. She always treated like I knew her for many years.. Ida always brought respect and dignity to a sometimes maligned sport, and she always protected the biz that she loved. It seems strange to think she will not be here…She will never be forgotten. Keep the Kayfabe,Ida……See you in the next town….Davey
One of my fondest memories of Ida Mae at the CAC Reunions was one of my first that I attended, and when she was challenged to yodel, she yodeled so well that the challenger was put to shame.
Rest peacefully, Ida Mae. You will be darly missed.