Martha is a retired certified nurse-midwife, who spent a year of her career working for a hospice as an RN. She found working with people experiencing death and dying as meaningful as those experiencing pregnancy and birth; the similarities were amazing.

Her lived experience with deaths of family members in the last few years prompted her to act on her intention to use her midwifery skills in support of those at end-of-life. She is also a founding member of River Valley Community Death Care.

Martha’s special concern in this area is that the emotional and spiritual journey of the souls of the dying and those that care for them is not lost in the provision of medical and physical care. Her desire is to empower those she serves in recognizing and tapping into their own inner spiritual resources as they face death.

She has completed additional training as a Sacred Death Care Guide from the Centre for Sacred Death Care, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her personal spiritual journey has led her to this work.

Martha finds joy in family activity with her two daughters, their husbands, and two grandchildren; meaning as a member and Clerk of the Eau Claire Friends Meeting; rejuvenation in the creation of fiber art; and play with her Corgi Saoirse.

Learn about our other board members

Carly Gaytan - President

Deirdre Jenkins - Treasurer

Euna Letendre - Member at Large

Dawn Briskey - Member at Large