Martha Mae Ironside

MARTHA MAE IRONSIDE\r

We will carry forward for the rest of our lives the vision of a loving mother, a caring sister and a loyal friend. As the fourth child of Audra and Wellesley Ironside, Martha Ironside was born on March 14, 1951 in Hastings, Michigan. She prospered in the warm family life during her formative years. Her most vibrant memories focused on her high school days where she was the Junior Class Vice President, a member of the Homecoming Court, and a cheerleader at Hastings Saxon athletic events. In her youth, she was raised in the First United Methodist Church on Green Street.\r

Upon graduation from Hastings High School in 1969, Martha attended Western Michigan University where she earned a degree in Education. For the next fifteen years following college graduation Martha excelled at teaching in the Adult Community Education Program for the Comstock Public School District. She later obtained certification as a Medical Assistant and worked for Borgess Family Medicine offices in Richland, Kalamazoo, and Plainwell, Michigan.\r
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Away from work Martha was extraordinarily devoted to her daughter Errin. Together they created a wonderful family life in their years together. Aside from her careers Martha enjoyed photography, calligraphy, and caricature drawing. The activity she most craved was playing golf and would be thrilled to tell you about the hole-in-one she scored on Lake Doster's golf course. She was an animal lover and everyone was welcome in Martha's home. Testimony to Martha's loving spirit was when she became her Mother's caregiver. The devotion and care she provided for Audra was with the same sincerity that Martha approached friendships; with dignity, warmth, love and humor.\r

Martha passed quietly away on Nov. 23rd, 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Errin Jocelyn Ironside of Kalamazoo, MI, her sister Marilyn (Robert) Kraft of West Milton, OH, brothers John (Susan) Ironside of Atlanta, GA, and Robert (Patricia) Ironside of Grand Rapids, MI, as well as six nieces and nephews, and nine great-nieces and great-nephews.\r

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Martha's family would like to thank Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan (Rose Arbor) for their very special facility and the many dear friends that helped her through the hospice experience. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Martha's name to www.hospiceswmi.org or Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Her family would like to encourage future participation in fund raising that supports a cure for breast cancer.\r
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Memorial services will be held 2:00pm Saturday December 6, 2008 at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings friends can meet with the family 1 hour prior to service time. Martha's family will host a reception after the service. Messages for the family may be submitted to www.girrbachfuneralhome.net . \r