Martha C. Ashenfelter

Martha C. Ashenfelter, a long-time resident of Wallingford, PA, passed away on April 1, 2025. She was 87 years young.
She was born January 4, 1938, in Scranton, PA, to the late Sophie (Janus) Smogo.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Mark and Robbin Ashenfelter, Jacqueline and Douglas Smetana, and Kellie and Paul Pecora.
She was the coolest grandmother to Justin, Alexandra (Alex), Paige and Andrew (A.J.), and the radiant great grandmother of Blakelynn. She was beyond thrilled to be Blakelynn's great grandmother.
In addition to her mother, she was predeceased by her husband, John H. Ashenfelter, Jr., her beloved and deeply missed sister, Frances Szemes, and her brother-in-law, James Szemes.
Marty was fiercely independent, and a proud graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Class of 1958. She was a dedicated and much loved and respected OB/GYN nurse until she grudgingly retired in 2017 at the age of 79.
She loved visiting her daughter, Kellie, in New Jersey, her daughter, Jackie, in Delaware, and her son, Mark, in Connecticut. As Mom would like to say, she slept around.
She doubly enjoyed visiting Kellie and her family, not only because she loved them so much, but also because they were close to the beach, her favorite sanctuary.
She was so proud of her globetrotting daughter, Jackie, and kept a list of her travels on post-it notes in her kitchen.
She shepherded her son to college by telling him he could not go out to play until he finished his homework. Drove him nuts then, but he is grateful now.
She enjoyed lectures at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, ballroom dancing, and most especially the beach and family vacations in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Marty was an elder at Wallingford Presbyterian Church, and was an active member there for over 50 years. She loved her countless friends, and had many admirers.
She was forever grateful to Dr. Thomas P. Cappola, Dr. Howard C. Herrmann and nurse Eileen Baxter of HUP for their many years of outstanding care.
In the last years of her life, she wisely and brilliantly entrusted her care to her daughter, Kellie. Marty's dear friend and nursing colleague of many years, Joanne Hayko, and her husband, Bob, were her constant companions during her final days and of great support to Marty, Kellie and Marty's family during that time.
Private graveside services will be held at Edgewood Memorial Park, Glen Mills, PA.
Marty honestly and innocently believed she would live forever because she loved life so much. Her passing came as a surprise to her, and as an incalculable loss to her family.
Mom – We love you to the moon and back. We will always drink a highball at nightfall for you.