Martha Nicholson Bortner

Share your Memorial with Family & FriendsMARTHA NICHOLSON BORTNER
April 27, 1935 – July 17, 2025The Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N. Riverside Dr. in Indialantic, Florida. Additionally, the Celebration will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@Eastminster321/streams
A graveside service and burial will be held in Maryland at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to:
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
Music Department
106 N. Riverside Drive
Indialantic, FL 32903
(321) 723-8371Martha Nicholson Bortner, 90, of Satellite Beach, peacefully passed to Our Lord at home in the presence of her daughter on July 17, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest E. Bortner, Jr. Martha's life was dedicated to singing Praise to God through the church music programs and for the wellbeing of her family and friends.
Martha was born in Baltimore, MD and grew up with her sister Nancy and brother William. Her service to the church started at the early age of 7 singing in the choir with her family and helping with all activities with her church, which she continued throughout her life. She was involved with her church youth programs in her teens, attended Western Maryland College, earning a bachelor's degree within 3 years, married Ernest in June 1955 and instantly became the "minister's wife".
In the year 2000 Martha and Ernest left Maryland and moved to Satellite Beach, FL to enjoy their retirement, grandchildren, the weather and travel. They lived their dream retired life happily and were involved in the community and church activities.
Throughout Martha's adult life she enjoyed her time teaching piano lessons, singing in church choirs, directing children's choirs, teaching, playing and directing church handbell choirs, worked at Asbury Methodist Village, taught sewing lessons, clothes making, making quilts, cross-stitching, sailing, crabbing and fishing, watching football on TV, eating out and traveling the world with her husband Ernest.
Martha is survived by her daughter Lorraine Bortner LaBelle, her son E. Edward Bortner, III (wife Darlene); her grandchildren James Norris (wife Maria), Chris Norris (wife Allison), Lindsey Lovelett (husband Ryan), Krista Bortner; her great grandchildren Shauna Norris, Veronica Norris, Bailey Norris, Zoey Norris, Camden Lovelett, Nolan Lovelett; her sister Nancy Alvey; her nieces Virgina Studley (husband Dave) and Janice Bosley (husband Charles) and her nephews William "Nicky" Nicholson (wife Ava) and Mark Alvey (wife Kim); and former daughter-in-law Barbara Bortner.
Martha is also survived by countless friends who were like family to her.