Martha Mary Towey
Saturday, November 4, 1944
Date of Death:
Friday, December 30, 2016
Age:
72 years old
Saturday, November 4, 1944
Date of Death:
Friday, December 30, 2016
Age:
72 years old
Saturday, November 4, 1944
Date of Death:
Friday, December 30, 2016
Age:
72 years old
Martha Mary Towey
Martha Mary Towey, 72, of Rochester died Friday, December 30 at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester after living courageously with breast cancer for one and one-half years.
Martha was born in Rochester in 1944 to Robert and Helen (Madden) Towey and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of MN. She worked for AT&T in San Francisco before returning to Rochester in 1979.
Martha was a calligrapher, author, photographer and musician. She entertained for many years at various nursing and retirement homes around Rochester, accompanying herself on the guitar. Being a lover of nature, she found great peace at the Quarry Hill Nature Center. Martha was incredibly brave her entire life, especially in her final battle and was at peace when her journey on this plain ended. She was a spiritual guru and mentor for almost everyone she knew. Purposefully placed here to be a light for others, she taught us all how to live and, most profoundly, how to love (oh, those long hugs!). She was LOVE. Time spent with Martha could never be enough but the overwhelming gratitude we have for every second shared with her is in abundance. Martha’s spirit and certainly her love and infectious sense of humor will remain with us forever and always and beyond. To the end she was a relentless spiritual seeker.
Survivors include her sister, Margaret Settimi, of Brookfield, WI and her brother, John (Tylie) Towey of Sherman Oaks, CA; four nieces, Maureen (David) DeValkenaere, Nora (Neil) Holland, Lisa (Kurt Hostetter) Simon and Erin Towey; two nephews, John McKnight Towey and Jason (Kristi) Towey and five grand nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Janelle Towey, Thornton, CO and Martha’s long-time companion, Bruce Erickson. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Tom.
A celebration of Martha’s life will be held on Monday, January 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Ave. SW, Rochester with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Seasons Hospice House in Rochester would be appreciated.
Condolences
The family of Martha Mary Towey has received the following condolences.
So sorry for your loss. Martha was a true friend for more than 30 years she will be missed. Martha's friendship was one that saw us through many changes and it was one that it didn't matter if a lot of time had passed between talking together it was always as if we were just continuing the conversation where we left off. I will miss her friendship dearly.
Martha was a dear friend from 1st grade at St Johns, to Lourdes, and many years beyond.
Martha was truly a happy spirit spreading joy and love and fun. And maybe a bit of mischief.
David, Martha, and Romelle Mayhood
Martha is the brightest spirit I have ever known. Everything she created – music, calligraphy, writing, photography – has made the world more beautiful because she created them with love. Martha’s soul is all love, and her soul will be with us always, forever, and beyond.
We were previously next-door neighbors of Martha's when we lived by the Civic Center and what a delightful neighbor she was! We were so saddened to hear of her passing. She wrote beautiful calligraphy for our wedding invites and a few special framed pieces-such treasures. She was such a bright light and left a lasting impression on us. Our greatest sympathies to her family and loved ones.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I haven't been in touch with Martha for several years since I retired and moved away from Rochester, but we had a very good friendship for many years. She was a special person and I was very sad to see the news of her passing. The world will be a lesser place without Martha in it, that's for sure.
We look forward to seeing our loved ones again because of the Bible's promise at Acts 24:15 "And I have hope toward God which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." One day soon the earth will be a paradise again ,which was Jehovah Gods original purpose for the earth.Isaiah 65:20-22 helps us to see that the day will come when our days will be like those of a tree,and even long-lived trees will seem to us as transient as the grass, coming and going while we continue living forever.
We were so sorry to hear of Martha's passing. She had been a patient of ours and was truly a sweet and nice person. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family during this difficult and sad time.
Dr Joseph Postier
Dr Nicholas Brong
Kim
Sinde
Kaely
Kerri