Martha "Martie" Elizabeth Wilbur - In Memorium
Martha "Martie" Elizabeth Wilbur, age 77, of Cambridge MA, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, leaving behind her trusted hearing aids, a bowl of ice cream, a day-old cup of coffee and cherished family memories of her husband, kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Martie is survived by her overly-patient and forever optimist husband Steve, who was truly the love of her life of the last 55 years and her forever arm rest. She is survived by daughters JoAnn (Robert) Robbins and Bobbie Wilbur, and sons Richard Wilbur and Eric (James) Ferguson; brother Thomas Malay; grandchildren: Jessica (Gilbert) Coronado, Kayla Wilbur, Jamie Wilbur, Storm Wilbur and Max Wilbur; great grandchildren: Evelyn, lzabella, Summer, Seven, and Gilbert Jr.
She is preceded in death by her loving parents Marjorie and Everett Malay, her beloved cat Smokey, and her dog Lucky.
Martie was born in Cambridge but grew up in Tewksbury MA. She had JoAnn and Richard in Londonderry NH before moving to Garden Grove, CA where Eric was born and where she ultimately met the man who was to become her forever love, Steve, despite the horrible suit (according to her) he was wearing when they got married. And unlike the suit, which went through the ringer - she literally washed it and put it in the dryer to rid herself (and him) of this monstrosity-their interest and eventual love for each other lasted over a lifetime. They later moved to Des Moines, IA and Bobbie was born.
Martie was especially fond of animals and nature in general. As an enthusiast, she loved taking walks and admiring nature's beauty around her. This included some less desirable creatures like snakes, which she came to adore and at one point, even had a snake on her desk while working at the Coralville Lake Reservoir. She was funny like that.
If there's one thing that Martie liked to do, it was to dance the night away. She and Steve participated in many social events around dancing and found themselves taking as many lessons as they could to perfect their skills at Ballroom, Swing, Square Dancing and Line Dancing. You can say they were the modern-day Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of their time. At least we like to think that.
She also enjoyed music and aspired to be a great singer of her time, but never quite hit the mark (or note, so to speak). This was only surpassed by her second true love, ice cream. Marty loved ice cream, more so than most, especially in her later years. She would often substitute her healthy choice of dinners for a decadent bowl of ice cream, a nod perhaps to the dairy farms from her childhood in MA.
Tremendous and heartfelt thanks to all the nurses and staff members at Brooklyn Community Estates, Brooklyn IA who not only provided care for Martie, but also created a peaceful and compassionate environment during her transition from this life to the next.
Friends can visit with the family for a Celebration of Life on Friday, July 26th from 4pm-7pm at the PARC Event Center, located at 5374 NE 12th Avenue, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327. Casual attire and hors d'oeuvres will be served, along with a cash bar and a special celebratory toast in honor of our dearly departed with her favorite drink, Margaritas!
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