Martin V. Aydelott

Martin Vaden Aydelott, 79, of Wilmington, Delaware, formerly of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died peacefully in Wilmington on October 21, 2024.

Martin was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1944 to Alfred Aydelott and Daisy Nuckols Aydelott. He attended high school at Taft School in Connecticut before earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After college, he earned his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School.

Before graduating from Vanderbilt, Martin enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Vietnam War for two years as a lieutenant. Upon returning from Vietnam and completing his degree, Martin and his family settled in Minneapolis, where he worked as a trusts and estates attorney for the prestigious law firm Mackall, Crounse & Moore (later DeWitt Law Firm). He became a partner at the firm and spent more than 40 years counseling scores of families.

In 2005, Martin married the love of his life, Nancy Hannigan, of Wilmington, DE, and after retiring, he moved to Wilmington.

Martin was a true character. He was funny, charming, intelligent, and fiercely opinionated. He had no airs of pretension and believed strongly that no person was better than another. He read voraciously and always had keen insights. He loved antiques, with a special fondness for historical weapons. He appreciated skilled craftsmanship of all types, particularly pottery, Christmas ornaments, and furniture. He was an excellent woodworker in his spare time, building furniture and refurbishing antique pieces. He was loyal to his family and his friends, and always sought to serve them, asking for nothing in return.

Martin was preceded in death by his father Alfred Aydelott, his mother Daisy Aydelott, and his son Matthew Aydelott. He is survived by his wife Nancy Hannigan; his sons Nathan Aydelott (Deborah DelSignore), Reed Hunt, and Bowie Hunt (Laura Hunt); his brother Alfred Aydelott; and his grandchildren Eloise and Otis Aydelott, Rhea and Thalia Hunt, and Ethan and Ian Hunt.

Graveside interment will be private. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Martin’s memory to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County or Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research.