Dr. Martha "Marty" Louise DuShaw (née Chidester), 93, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025, in Winter Garden, Florida, with her loving husband Bob and family by her side. Her final moments were spent listening to her beloved Lawrence Welk show, holding the hand of the man with whom she shared an extraordinary 71-year marriage.

Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Marty was a trailblazer in the field of health education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh, graduating Cum Laude, and became a registered nurse in both Michigan and Ohio. Her passion for education led her to pursue a Master's in Health Education and a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Throughout her distinguished career, Marty was dedicated to prevention and the promotion of comprehensive school health education. She became the first Health Education Coordinator for a Michigan school district and developed Project CHEK, a K-5 comprehensive school health curriculum while working for the Troy School District. Her expertise took her beyond the United States when she served as a technical advisor to Health and Welfare Canada while living in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Marty continued to make an impact as the first Executive Director of the Stark County Health Care Coalition, working to address rising healthcare costs for employees. She later became Manager of the Health Education Department for Kaiser Permanente's Ohio region in Cleveland/Akron before joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At age 71, she retired after a decade as a Health Education Specialist and project officer for several state education agencies and national organizations within the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) at CDC.

A respected leader in her field, Marty was a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honorary and Phi Delta Kappa Education Honorary and a Fellow of the American School Health Association. She held leadership roles in numerous professional organizations, including serving as President and Treasurer of the Michigan School Health Association, Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Division Board for Professional Development of the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., and Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairperson for the American School Health Association.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marty was deeply devoted to her family. She is survived by her beloved husband Bob; their four children: Susan (Jim), Randy (Lori), Rosanne (Steve), and Robin (Tom); ten grandchildren: Ashley, Stephen, Elizabeth, Drew, Paige, Kelly, Emily, John, Shelby, and Sara; and seven great-grandchildren: Harper, Finley, Sophie, Quinn, Lucas, Owen, and Archer. She was also a cherished sister to David (Judee) Chidester, Bob (Debbie) Chidester, and Nancy Powella (Emil) and sister-in-law to Jim DuShaw and a cherished Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Marty found immense joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved swimming, boating, traveling, playing bridge and bingo, making jewelry, and enjoying cottage time with family in West Virginia.

A lifelong member of the Lutheran faith, Marty rarely missed Sunday services. She and Bob were confirmed together at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Connellsville, Pennsylvania and remained active members of Lutheran churches wherever they lived. Their faith community included Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Thomas, Ontario; and Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde, Florida.

Marty will be remembered not only for her remarkable career but also for her warmth and generosity. She had an open heart for everyone she met and was known for being the ultimate hostess-always welcoming guests with kindness and offering them her famous chocolate chip cookies. A role model ahead of her time as an educated professional woman, she mentored many throughout her life.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on May 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Woodlands Lutheran Church (15333 County Road 455, Montverde, FL 34756).  The church service will be followed by lunch in the Disciple Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:  Woodlands Lutheran Church Early Learning Centre (ELC) https://woodlandschurch.com/give/ Condolence cards can be sent to:  rdushaw50@gmail.com.

Marty's legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched-both professionally and personally. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.