Martha S. Colace

Martha S. Colace, (born Saba Martha Smith, along with her twin sister Marjorie, on September 27, 1930) the 9th and 10th children of Leroy and Jennie Smith, passed away Friday evening, September 7, 2012 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center. She was 81. Martha, affectionately known as Martie to her family and friends, graduated from Manchester College in 1952 and taught elementary school in Fort Wayne for many years before marrying Andrew Colace in 1960, and moving to California to raise her own family. Once her children were grown, Martha returned to school to get her Registered Nursing degree, and worked in a psychiatric nursing facility in southern California until she was no longer able to work or drive due to the early onset of macular degeneration. She returned to North Manchester where she was blessed to be surrounded by family and long-time firends who were invaluable in assisting her with her needs throughout her later years. Martha will be remembered as a patient compassionate listener, a free thinker, and one who deeply cared for her family and friends above all else- she exemplified unconditional love. She is survived by her brother Lee Smith and sister Frances Smith Anderson, her three children Andrea, Ann-Bettina and Andrew, and her four grandchildren Dylan, Aidan, Olivia and Sofia. A private family memorial service will be held later this Fall. Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. For those who wish to honor the memory of Martha S. Colace, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962 or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Ft. Wayne, IN 46814. To send a private condolence to the Colace family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.