Martha Anne Walker (Marty), beloved wife, mother and best friend, following an extended illness, passed away at home on April 22, 2016 surrounded by her husband and children. She was born June 6, 1930 in Harlem (NYC) to Joseph Earl and Marguerite Massey, raised in Rye, N.Y. where she graduated from high school and subsequently attended the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. At Wooster she acquired her BA in Sociology and during her sophomore year met her husband to be, Giles, in a religion class. They graduated the morning of June 9, 1952 and were married in the college chapel that afternoon. Following a short honeymoon in Cooks National Forest, PA., they embarked for Peru where Giles had been hired as a geologist by the Cerro de Pasco Copper Corporation (later Cerro Corp.), an American firm headquartered in New York city with mines in the Peruvian Andes.
During their first contract, 1952 to 1955, they were initially assigned to the company’s coal mine at Goyallarisquisga (13,700 ft. elev.) before being transferred to the San Cristobal mine living at Mahr Tunnel. They returned to the States in 1955 so that Giles (on leave of absence) could pursue his MS degree at the Univ. of Arizona (Tucson). Military service intervened, however, before they could return to Peru as Giles entered the USMCR officer program and they lived subsequently in Fredericksburg, V A and then Camp Pendleton, CA. Returning to Peru in January 1960, they initially lived in Morococha, Peru (14,500 ft) and finally La Oroya, Peru (12,200 ft).
The Peruvian years were marked by wonderful, enduring friendships developed with people from around the world who worked for Cerro. Many of these were survivors of WWII, both Allied and Axis sides, whose stories were spell bounding. These were also years in which Peru was being challenged politically by a strong communist ideological thrust as well as the desire to move from a dictatorship to an elected government. There were quiet times but also difficult periods in which Marty and her family were threatened by labor unrest. During one particularly bad period La Oroya and other Andean communities were cut off from the coast by communist activity requiring eventual relief and evacuation by the Peruvian Army.
She returned with her family to the States in 1967 when it became apparent that Cerro was to be nationalized. Marty returned to the University of Arizona and acquired her elementary teaching certificate. Giles accepted a job with AMAX Exploration, Inc. and they moved to Denver where Marty taught both sixth and first grades. They moved to Helena in June 1969 and Marty subsequently taught third and fifth grades at Rossiter School.
Marty, as a person, was always driven to better herself – she was always studying something. She became proficient in graphoanalysis, developed herself as a painter (major interest), attended Carroll College as a senior auditor and volunteered at her church, Plymouth Congregational. Upon being afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, she was instrumental in reorganizing a Parkinson’s Support Group which had foundered. Aside from everything else – she was a loving wife and mother who cherished her family and will be sorely missed by all of us.
She is survived by her husband and children Karen Hendricks (grandchildren Justin and Blair), Renee Laffey (Tom and grandsons Seamus and Connor) and Eric Walker (Vicki and granddaughter Meagan). She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Deborah Jean who was born and died in La Oroya, Peru (January 20, 1954).
Memorial services will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church on April 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow the service at the church. Interment will be in Forestvale Cemetery with family members only. Memorials should be directed to Frontier Home Health and Hospice, Plymouth Congregational Church or the American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Martha.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday April 29, 2016
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oakes
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Friday April 29, 2016
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S Oakes
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
After the reception
Friday April 29, 2016
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday April 29, 2016
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oakes
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Friday April 29, 2016
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S Oakes
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
After the reception
Friday April 29, 2016
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Shelly (Sanders) Horne says
My heart is broken, what a wonderful teacher and a great friend to my mother (Rachael Sanders) She always had a smile on her face and kind words My deepest condolences to the family my thoughts and prayers are with all of you May God Bless you and give Matrie peace
Jacy Chestnut says
I will cherish the memory of the times we spent painting while camping in Theodore Rosevelt Park in S.Dakota and Valley of Fire in Nevada, and a watercolour workshop at the Internatinal Peace Gardens.
Marty and I met in Peru in 1960 and kept in touch through the years. I will always admire her courage dealing with Parkinson’s Disease.
Marty we will miss you.
Tonna Strasko says
Marty,
You helped me love and understand “old” people. Thank you for this gift!
Tonna Strasko
Art and Clara Gilreath says
We are sorry to hear of Marty’s passing
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Giles and the family
God bless
Martha Eaton says
Mr. Walker and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Mrs. Walker’s passing. Great memories of all of you from when my dad did church services in Morococha and then as our neighbors in Chulec. You are in our prayers. Martha Muir
Allen Hollett says
Giles and family,
Bonnie and I share your grief with Marty’s.passing, but are helped by knowing her long pain is behind her. God is with us all!
Y. McBeath says
My sincere condolences on your loss. May you draw some strength from the words found at John 5:28, 29. The Bible assures us that soon we will see our loved ones again.
Diane Gunderson says
Giles and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. Marty was a wonderful person and will be missed by many. Just like my Mom, Marty is totally healthy now. God Bless you all. Love. Diane
Dick Weaver and Cathy Barker says
Blessings to you, Giles and Karen. We know you will miss Marty, so know that you are in our prayers.
Sally C. Mulcahy says
Dearest Walker Family…
It is with the truest of friendship and greatest love that I had for Marty. We were the best of friends for the many interests we shared between each other. We could talk for hours about all of our life experiences, which always lead us to even more points of discussion and books to read and analyze. When Marty contracted Parkinson’s Disease, she kept on living her life and so did our friendship. I don’t think in the whole time that we have known each other, there isn’t a subject we didn’t cover. Our relationship was special beyond words. It is my hope, I will see you again where we will meet on the Rainbow Bridge. Sending my love and friendship to all of you, and your dear mother, Marty. Shalom, Sally C. Mulcahy
Julie DalSoglio says
Giles – my deep sympathy at the loss of your sweet wife. My prayers are with you and your family.
Retz Funeral Home says
Please pass a message to Marty Walkers family. I taught with her at Rossiter School during the 70’s. She was a dear friend and a joy to be around, so kind and caring with a great since of humor. When I left to be married and returned to CA she gave me one of her watercolor paintings of the capital. I have kept it as a treasure and it is hanging in a grouping in my hall. I remember a dinner at their home with a slide show of Peru, so enjoyable. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Friend, and also former teacher at Rossiter, Mary Jo Mairlie /Smallwood informed me. Give my best to Marty’s family.Linda Loftis, Daigle
Thea Swenson says
I remember Marty for her paintings. I have a small one. We were officers together in Delta Kappa gamma. Deepest sympathy to the family. Thea and Murray Swenson
Lenora Johnson Mazlaghani says
Mr. Walker and family, I was so very sorry to hear from Renee of Mrs. Walker’s passing. We were next door neighbors for a time in La Oroya. I remember her as a vivacious, fun person to be around. A distinct memory of making paper mache’ one day and baking cookies (I think) another come to mind. Sure do wish I could have been in touch before now. I know the world is a better place because Mrs. Walker contributed to it. Again, please accept my condolences for this terrible loss. Hasta luego, Senora Walker. Vaya con Dios.
Margaret Peter-Fawcett says
While living in Goyllarisquizga as a child of 2 years, the recollection I have of Marty Walker is from my mother, Lily Fawcett (died in Sydney, Australia, 2018), who spoke many times of her and Giles with fondness over the years. I have a few photos of Marty, particularly one of her with Jennifer Fox and me in this mining camp at an altitude of 4,170m. May Marty rest in peace. Condolences to the Walker family.
Laurie Wiedmann says
Oct. 19, 2019
I just learned of Marty’s passing and was happy to hear she lived a long life filled with interests and friends. I taught with her at Rossiter and as a new kid on the block was welcomed personally. She encouraged me to ask questions any time. She was a kind and generous person. I transferred to another school when I became a Title I teacher and lost touch. I later learned she had PD. I was diagnosed with PD four years ago and can only imagine her strength and continued enthusiam for life despite her illness. The picture published was beautiful, as was she.