Martha Marti Zarkower

Martha Zarkower, 63, of Perrysburg, Ohio passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2015 in St. Luke’s Hospital. She was born on August 7, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan to Forrest and Barbara Norris. She graduated from Hazel Park High School in Hazel Park, Michigan, attended Wayne State University and graduated with her nursing degree from Avila College. Marti defined herself as a caregiver, whether as a nurse or a mother. She was an astute, well-respected clinician. As director of nursing at North Shore Health Care Center in Milwaukee, WI, she was a pioneer, establishing their first memory care unit. Marti was an active volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association of America in Milwaukee and Toledo, OH. Her commitment to the community continued after she moved to Perrysburg, OH through her work with CASA and the Opera Guild and as a board member of the Collingwood Arts Center. She founded Northwest Ohio Geriatric Care Management Ltd., her private practice to provide a personalized, holistic approach to elders. Marti was sparkly. Everyone said she had panache. She was like a rock star, and everyone got to go along for the ride. Her effervescence was contagious; the first phrase she taught Buddy, her conure, was, “Can you groove?” She was generous in spirit, always willing to give her time and her laughter. She loved to garden and devoted hours to creating a beautiful sanctuary in her backyard where she and her beloved husband Jim spent countless hours. She planned the best birthday parties in the world for her children, parties with moonwalks, carousels and ponies! She imbued in her children the value of lifelong learning and hard work. She had a gift for recognizing and evoking humanity in those who had become invisible to others. She was a revitalizing force who infused life into wilting flowers. Marti is survived by her children Nicholle (Mark Dworschak) Zarkower, Danielle (Theodore) Molla and Jonathan (Youngeun) Zarkower; one grandchild; siblings Clara “Sis” Byas, Forrest “Sam” and Gary Norris; and her former husband Dr. Alan R. Zarkower. She was preceded in death by her second husband James Reynoldson, parents and brother Grant Norris. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, on Tuesday, December 1 from 2-7p.m., where Memorial Services will follow at 7p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Toledo Zoo.

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Martha Marti Zarkower

August 7, 1952 - November 26, 2015