Martha Madelon Laham of Middleville, Michigan, age 98, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Samaritas Village. Born on June 22, 1922, May was the youngest daughter and eighth of nine children of Salem and Tutla Laham, Lebanese-Syrian immigrants who met and married in Grand Rapids.

Marty had a long work career, from sewing parachutes in WWII to making aviation electronics at Lear Siegler. Active in Lear union leadership for most of her 32 years, she continued by leading UAW Local 330 Retiree Chapter. For 25 years, her "Musings by Marty" ran in the Grand Valley Labor News (Work in Progress) with over 250 columns.

She was honored with the UAW Retirees Excellence Award and the Art Heimer Award. In 2004, she received State of Michigan Special Tribute for her retirement volunteerism. She was devoted to Hospice of Greater GR, God's Kitchen, Kent Community Bingo, Indian Trails Camp and Barry County Meals on Wheels

Marty enjoyed life and traveling. Her hobbies included writing poetry, working at the polls, watching wildlife, and playing cards. She loved people and was extremely outgoing: everyone she met became a friend, the lucky ones left calling her Aunt May.

Nothing was more important to her than her faith and her family. She was a lifelong member of St. George Orthodox Church. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Violet (Andrew) Clara, Olga (Fred) Ansara, George, Norman (Edna), Iva (Babe) Mickel, Jule (Thad) Sartor, Jake (Marilyn), Mitchell, nephew Larry Ansara, niece Gloria Spangler. She is survived by her sister-in-law Mildred, her nine nieces and nephews Dick (Karen), Skip (Carol) Sartor, Kathy (Dan) Burnham, Dede (Randy) Havens, Sandi, Michelle (David) Bailey, Salim (Sue Smith), Art, Steve (Molli) and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call on the family during a time of visitation from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2020, at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Kentwood, MI 49508. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the funeral home can accommodate twenty visitors at a time. The Trisagion will be held that same evening at 6:30 p.m.

The funeral service for Martha will be celebrated by Fr. Andrew Honoré on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the funeral service will be for family only. She will be laid to rest in Oakhill Cemetery, Grand Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 334 La Grave Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503; or online at https://stgeorgegr.com/make-a-donation

The family wishes to thank the Lodge at Samaritas Village and Kendrich Hospice for their gentle care the past two months. Service Details. Visitation
When: Monday, October 12th, 2020 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SE Kentwood, MI 49508

Second Visitation
When: Monday, October 12th, 2020 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SE Kentwood, MI 49508

Trisagion Monday, October 12th, 2020 | 6:30pm
When: Monday, October 12th, 2020 6:30pm
Location: Ofield Funeral Home
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SE Kentwood, MI 49508

Interment Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 |
When: Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
Location: Oak Hill Cemetery
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