Obituary of Martha L. McNulty

NORWOOD – Funeral services for Mrs. Martha L. McNulty, 95, formerly of 73 South Main Street, Norwood, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Norwood with Msgr. John Murphy officiating. Burial at Calvary Cemetery in Norwood will follow. Calling hours will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 17 at the Buck Funeral Home, Norwood. Martha passed away on June 9, 2016 at Sunrise Assisted Living of Severna Park, Maryland where she had resided since August, 2014. Martha is survived by three daughters, Patricia (Leonard) O'Brien of Austin, TX, Terri Wilson of Pittsburgh, PA, Barbara (Leon) Brown of Oneonta, NY, and one son, Richard (Anne) McNulty of Arnold, MD; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; twin sisters, Betty Benz of New Valmeyer, IL, and Peggy Gray of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews and friends. Martha was predeceased by her husband, Francis McNulty, her daughter, Vicky Cummings, and her son-in-law, Kevin Cummings. Martha was born in Valmeyer, Illinois on January 31, 1921. She was the daughter of Herman and Margaret (nee Weber) Linker. She grew up as one of seven children in a close-knit, fun-loving family. She remained close with her family throughout her life. She met her husband, a Norwood-native, Francis V. McNulty in Washington, D.C. They married on January 23, 1945 in the South Post Chapel, Arlington, Virginia. Martha graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1942; she then taught business courses at Altamont High School in Illinois for just over a year. After a brief training period in Chicago, Illinois, she worked in the United States Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. as a stenographer. She then served with the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department as a Cryptanalytic Aide; she was installed with the Signal Corps in Arlington, Virginia. After moving to Norwood, she was employed as Personnel Secretary to Mr. George W. Sisson III; later, she returned to teaching as a substitute and tutor. Martha's faith guided her throughout her life. She was a communicant of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Norwood. She was active in parish life, and she served as secretary for St. Andrew's Home and School Association and later for the St. Andrew's Parish Council. She was also active in the Seaway Valley Right to Life organization, and she participated in several Right to Life marches in Washington, D.C. Martha was a life-long learner and avid reader with a keen interest in current events and politics. She enjoyed playing games with her family and friends, especially chess, which she considered "the best game in the world." Martha was a locally-noted flower gardener who enjoyed tending her gardens; she delighted in sharing her knowledge and flowers with friends and strangers alike. Martha's family and community appreciated her strong and loving spirit, kind words, beautiful smile, and infectious laugh. Martha loved her family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Norwood; Hospice of the Chesapeake, Pasadena, MD; or a charity of one's choice. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The Buck Funeral Home in Norwood is serving the family of Martha L. McNulty.