Martha L. Haungs

Predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, George J. Haungs; first child, William George, who died at birth; only sister, Geraldine Seitler; grandson, Daniel Roach; and nephew, Ronald Seitler. Survived by children, Patricia Myers of Iowa, Mary (Douglas) Gagne, Jane (Mark Pusey) Haungs, Diane (John) Hunt of NC, Joseph (Jan) Haungs, and Susan Witmer; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Martha was born in Niagara Falls, NY, the younger of two girls. She grew up during the difficult years of the Depression. As a high school student, she worked in retail, and after graduation, she worked as a legal secretary. She met her husband-to-be, George, at a square dance, and they married in 1949. Once kids came along, Martha stopped working and devoted herself to raising children as a stay-at-home mom. It wasn’t until the youngest was in high school that she started subbing in the Greece Central School District as a secretary.

From the moment she met George, she became his fishing and his square dance partner. They camped and fished in Canada every chance they got well into their late 70’s. Lonesome Pine Park was their home away from home. George and Martha loved to square dance and round dance, which they also did into their late 70’s. Their square dance friends were like family to them.

Martha had many hobbies over the years. In addition to fishing, square dancing and round dancing, she loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, gardening, reading, doing puzzles, and playing cards.

In 1967, the family moved to Rochester, where George took a job at Eastman Kodak Company. Martha was chief cook, baker, child-rearer, seamstress, chauffeur, housekeeper, gardener, hostess, and sometimes, plumber, mouse-catcher, handyman and electrician.

When George retired in 1983 they had more time to travel together. They took an Alaskan cruise with square dance friends, visited Branson, MO, Lake Placid, and Florida. Their annual Lake Placid trip was with a group of cross country skiers, and they looked forward to it every year.

After George’s Alzheimers diagnosis around 2006, Martha was committed to caring for her husband at home throughout the progression of his illness. For over 10 years, she put aside her every want, and often her needs, to give George a level of loving care that was out of reach for most mere mortals. Those years were a true testimony to who Martha was. George’s passing in 2016 left a vacancy in Martha’s heart that only her beloved husband of nearly 67 years could fill.

Martha will be remembered as a devoted wife, a committed mother, a selfless caregiver, a tireless worker, and a woman of unmistakable integrity. She was a woman of unshakable character.

Friends may call Tuesday, September 23rd from 4 - 7 p.m. at Farrell-Ryan Funeral Home, 777 Long Pond Road (between English and Latta). Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 24th at Holy Cross Church, 4492 Lake Avenue. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Holy Cross Church;  School of the Holy Childhood, 100 Groton Parkway, Rochester, NY 14623; or Heritage Christian Services, 275 Kenneth Drive, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14623.