Helen Marie Martaus

Helen Marie Martaus May 20, 1931 - September 21, 2023 Helen Marie Martaus, age 92, died peacefully at home on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Helen was born Helen Huffmon, "Huffy," in Tiffin, Ohio to Clara Marie Tierney and Louis Richard Huffmon. Helen was a woman of many parts: mother, pioneering professional woman, daughter, sister, friend and champion of those whom others might not see. She walked in when others could not. Helen earned her RN from St. Ann's Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. So began her lifelong love of Chicago. Despite working two jobs and raising five children (including her disable youngest son, Paul), she was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Toledo in 1981. Her children proudly celebrated the oldest graduate in that nursing class. Helen's nursing excellence was widely recognized. Awards she received include: the American Cancer Society "I Can Cope" Nursing Award; the 1984 Ohio Nurse of the Year (honoring her work on the front lines of HIV/AIDS care); the 1990 Golden Lamp Award (recognizing her distinguished and unstinting mentorship of young nurses and colleagues; the 1997 President's Award at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Health Care Ventures; the 2003 Triad Award (recognizing her efforts to reduce victimization and increase the safety of older adults); and the 2007 Jefferson Award recognizing her cumulative community service including: founder of "David's House of Compassion" (an early HIV/AIDS residence), initial staff nurse and organizer of the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, ombudsman for nursing home residents, and member/advocate of the Board of Directors of Luther Home of Mercy (dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities). Helen was a brave and tireless advocate: a compassionate woman in a noble profession. We honor her memory by thanking all nurses. Her five children, Kenneth, Cecilia, Michael, Therese (Timothy, deceased) and Paul (aka Sneeze) also knew her as a dedicated and loving mother. Words cannot capture the many, varied gifts she gave to each of her children. She loved reading, travel, music, baking, the performing arts and horse racing. She was full of life and interests. Helen is survived by daughter Cecilia, son Michael and daughter Therese (Timothy Carney, deceased). She was preceded in death by husband Paul, sons Kenneth and Paul Edward and son-in-law Timothy Carney. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 25th at 10 AM at Gesu Cahtolic Church, 2049 Parkside Boulevard, Toledo, OH 43607. Entombment to follow (immediate family only) at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any remembrance be in the form of a donation in memory of Helen Marie Martaus to: Old Friends (Horse Retirement Farm) 1841 Paynes Depot Road Georgetown, KY 40324 The Ability Center 5605 Monroe Street Sylvania, OH 43650 Toledo Public Library - Sanger Branch 3030 W. Central Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43606

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Helen Marie Martaus

May 20, 1931 - September 21, 2023