Martha "Marty" Bode

Martha Bernice Bode, widow of Stewart Alan Bode, died peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, November 13, 2025, at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, MD.

"Marty," as she was universally known, was the daughter of Jesse Wilton Steele and Thelma Bernice Steele, both now deceased.

Born in Bethany, Oklahoma on January 6, 1950, Marty lived many of her younger days in Colorado before moving to Wisconsin, where she met and would eventually marry Stew. In 1984, the Bode family of four, with Christine (8) and Brad (6), moved to Ellicott City, Maryland, where they were immediately welcomed into the parish at Church of the Resurrection.

Marty was an active member of the parish, especially the church's community of music. For most of four decades, she sang with the folk group at the 9 am mass every Sunday. Her musical presence earned her and several groupmates the incredible opportunity to sing backup for Michael Bolton when his Time, Love & Tenderness tour played Merriweather Post Pavilion in 1992.

Marty also spent her entire professional career at Resurrection. She worked in the Parish Center for over 35 years, filling multiple community-facing roles, and built lifelong bonds with her colleagues and officemates. Marty ultimately retired in 2020 as the Director of Sacramental Preparation.

She is survived by a daughter, Christine L. Bode, and a son, Bradley D. Bode, as well as a daughter-in-law, Kristi P. Bode. Marty loved her children fiercely and was often heard proudly recounting their accomplishments with her friends and colleagues.

She's also survived by two granddaughters, Parker A. Bode (12), and Sadie G. Bode (11), whose lives have brought joy and light to the family since shortly after Stew passed in 2012. Marty adored being a grandma- some of her final words were to make sure someone was taking good care of her grandbabies.

And finally, she's survived by the sweetest (and furriest) family member of all, Charlie. A wolf-sized German Shepherd-Husky mix with a temperament so gentle, Marty had Charlie easily certified as therapy dog. With Pets On Wheels, the duo would regularly visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where Charlie quickly became a resident favorite. She took joy in the happiness his visits brought so many seniors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society