Martha Mae Green

Martha Mae Green, of Erie, passed away Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, in her home and surrounded by those she loved, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born March 6, 1923, in Erie, Pa., she was the daughter of Jacob and Ethel Dieter. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Milton (Dean) Dieter, and a grandson, Den-Den. Mrs. Green is survived by her husband of 68 years, Gordon James Green, whom she loved and cared for even in her final days. She is also survived by four children, James Green (Carla), Dennis Green (Monica), Janis Pierce (David) and Diane Snyder (Gary); seven grandchildren, Lisa Williams, Greg Pierce (Jennifer), Chris Snyder, Erin McCurdy (David), Joshua Green (Amanda), Megan Kuhn (Matt) and Jason Snyder (Katie). She cherished her ten great grandchildren, Jessica, Megan, Guinevere, Wesley, Cameron, Kailyn Mae, Lucas, Jacob, Rylie and Eli. Mrs. Green devoted her life to her family, teaching the lessons of life through the way in which she lived â€" selflessness, kindness, courage and strength. She was fascinated by the beauty of the world around her, enjoying rides around the dock, vacations to the Outer Banks and watching generations of her family laugh and play in her home. Family picnics weren't complete without her family-famous macaroni salad. She was a reliable source of knowledge on trivia and crossword puzzles. She filled her home with pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and could always lift her family's spirits with her warm smile and infectious laugh. Her faith and strength sustained her through the challenges in her life, remembering always that the Lord is her shepherd and she has nothing to fear. Her constant selflessness and kindness earned the deep love and admiration of those who survive her. The family would like to express their appreciation to her faithful caregivers, Missy and Carra, and the nurses of VNA hospice and caretakers from Caregivers. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to either Simpson United Methodist Church at 2113 Sassafras St. Erie, PA 16502 or VNA Hospice at 2253 West Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA 16506. Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Rd. (corner of East Gore Rd. and Pine Ave.) on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service there at 11:00am. Interment will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Send condolences at www.icgerie.com/schmidt.