Martha Marsh

MARTHA KIRKPATRICK MARSH Martha Kirkpatrick Marsh, 94, died peacefully early in the morning on August 25th, 2023 at Otterbein Sunset Village in Sylvania. She was born on September 10th, 1928 to Thomas Parks and Mary (Wightman) Kirkpatrick in Decatur, GA. She graduated from Hood College, Frederick, MD in 1949, where she was VP of the student government and a member of the Mortar Board, the National Women's Honorary Society. She earned her MA Degree from Ohio Wesleyan in 1953 (Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Women) and obtained her MBA Degree from the University of Toledo in 1984. Martha married Benjamin F. Marsh on July 12th, 1952 at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park, MD. They first met at Ohio Wesleyan, but it was their serendipitous connection in front of the Whitehouse on Pennsylvania Ave that really sealed it. And, as they say, the rest is history. In D.C., Martha worked as a Research Analyst for the CIA (1952-1954) before the two of them decided to move to Columbus, OH. Once in Columbus, she spent a year acting as the Teen Age Director of the YWCA (1954-1955). In 1955, they moved to Maumee, OH - the place they would reside for the next 50 years and would forever consider to be their "home." Martha began working as a Social Worker for Child and Family Agency in Toledo, which strengthened her desire to be involved in the community and dedicate herself to serving others in the field of Social Work. It wasn't long before she became an active member (1960-19730) serving as Secretary and eventual Vice President, of the Junior League of Toledo. In this role, she helped develop and direct projects within Social Work recruitment (Careers in Social Work 1965-67), was involved in the Day Care for women training programs (Greater Toledo Day Care Centers, Board President 1973), and became the Chairman of the TV Film Project on Toledo (1967-69). Her dedication in the field led to her being appointed by the County Commissioners to four terms (1978-92) on the Lucas County Children Service Board. She represented LCCS on the Lucas Co. Welfare Advisory Committee, as well as the Council on Family Violence. Not surprisingly, in 1985 Martha was appointed by the Governor to the State Social Services Advisory Committee, where she served for 5 years. Martha also served as a member of Statewide Board of the Ohio United Way/Ohio Citizens Council (1984-90), (1971-77) and was the Board President (1978-79) of United Central Services. Her extensive knowledge and experience in social work continued gaining her positions on the Board of Directors for St. Anthony Villa (1976-78) and the Toledo Crittenton Services (1990-96). Her love of history brought her to co-chair the Committee to gain approval of a Historical Marker for LCCS on the grounds of the Fort Miami School in 2008. She sat on the Maumee Senior Center Board (1998-2004) and served on the Historic Home Tour Committee. Her community work continued when she was the first woman to be appointed to the Maumee Quality of Life Committee. She was an active member on many organizations including First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, Maumee Garden Club (President 1977), Kappa Alpha Theta (Toledo Chapter President 1985-87), Toledo Bar Auxiliary, Republican Party (Delegate to National Convention 1992), Toledo Museum of Art (Friend Award, Docent) Hood College Alumnae Assoc., and the Ohio Wesleyan University Monnett Club. Martha and her husband were honored as "Outstanding Citizens of Maumee in 2002 and she received the "Ivy Award" from the Maumee Garden Club in 2007. She was an avid reader, seamstress, gardener, loved playing tennis with her many friends and cherished spending time with her grandchildren. Later in life she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband Ben. We were blessed to have an incredibly loving, compassionate, kind and caring mother, grandmother and friend. She taught us by example, the importance of truth and honesty, instilling in us strong morals and values while supporting us in everything we were involved with. A positive spirit, Martha always lifted us up with her smile and encouraging words. She was a strong believer in treating others the way they would like to be treated. She was recruited by many community organizations due to her insightful perspective, attention to detail, intelligence, and diplomatic ways. Most of all, she was a truly dignified lady full of grace, always putting others first. Martha was preceded in death by her loving husband Ben, her brother Thomas W. Kirkpatrick and sister in-law Elizabeth Kirkpatrick. Martha is survived by her son Sam, daughter Libby Marsh (John Casanova), grandchildren Cassie, Rena Workman (Don) Mattie, Benjamin and Hannah Casanova; sister in- law Mary Ann Otto (Richard), nephew David Kirkpatrick (Sara) and niece Marian Kirkpatrick (Graham Quigley). Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Friday, September 1, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral will begin in the funeral home on Saturday, September 2 at 9:30 followed by the ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Maumee at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Donations may be given First Presbyterian Church and Otterbein Sunset Village. The Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff and aides at Otterbein Sunset Village for their love and compassion in caring for Martha. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

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Martha Marsh

September 10, 1928 - August 25, 2023