Martha Ann Benedict, 84, of East Lansing died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in her home of MRSA. She was born Dec. 10, 1940 in Port Huron to Stanley and Marian Benedict, a prominent Port Huron family. Her father was an attorney and one-term state Representative. Her grandfather, Roy Stockdale, was a Port Huron-based Great Lakes freighter captain of the SS Youngstown. She married former Romeo Observer News Editor Jim Wallington on July 30, 1994.
She became involved in Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron, Edgewood United Church in East Lansing, and Unitarian Universalist Greater Lansing.
She graduated from the then new Port Huron High School in 1958. After a year at Port Huron Junior College, she transferred to the University of Michigan where she earned a degree in education. She taught in Livonia Schools. She resided in Detroit and Saginaw before she, first husband David Fitzgerald, and son Daniel moved to East Lansing. From there she commuted to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan where she earned a master’s in gerontology, from which she built an outstanding career in the senior adult field.
She became director of senior centers in Lansing and East Lansing as well as teacher of senior classes at Lansing Community College. Martha began her career as Seminar Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty at the Center for Aging Education at Lansing Community College. She later took on the role of Project Coordinator of the Mental Health and Aging Education Consortium (MHAEC), a model statewide program of training for mental health and aging professionals in the State of Michigan.
She enjoyed artwork, walking and travel, especially by Amtrak, VIA Rail in Canada and trains in Scotland and Ireland. She especially was pleased that upon retirement that she and husband Jim would winter in such warm weather states as Florida, Arizona, California, and New Mexico. She enjoyed overnighting in B&Bs throughout Michigan, Nova Scotia, and Scotland.
She thought she was blessed to live in the Greater Lansing area, especially with her multitude of friends, including her Taupes gang of Edgewood friends.
Martha and Jim were wed at Dusty’s English Inn in Eaton Rapids. He survives her as does son Daniel Fitzgerald (Kathleen) of Sterling Heights, first husband David Fitzgerald (Carol) of Kalamazoo, nephews Andrew and Gabriel Oliver of Lexington, MI, cousins Marilyn Budde of Manton and Carol Codden of Benzonia; and niece Alicia Conner (Rick) of Rochester. She was preceded in death by sister Sally Bennett of Peck.
Memorial services will be held in Port Huron and Lansing.
