Martha Dice

Martha (Stefanic) Dice, age 85, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of James V. Dice for 53 devoted years and a cherished mother to Melissa (Lou) Govedarica Marsico, Daniel Dice, and Maryanna (Dante) Dice Marasco. Martha was a loving and proud grandmother to Alexis (Nick) Mlady, Marko (Leah) Govedarica, Marissa (Dominick) D'Agata, Theadora (Matt) Cullen, and Vincent Dice, and a treasured great-grandmother to eight great-grandchildren.

She was the loving sister of the late Daniel Stefanic, the late John Stefanic, Mary Stefanic McKenna, and the late Nikola Stepanovich. Martha is also survived by many nieces and nephews, her Kumovi, and numerous dear friends.

Martha was born and raised in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where she developed the strong values, deep faith, and love of family that guided her throughout her life. After graduating from high school, she married her high school sweetheart, James, and together they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to begin their devoted married life. They lovingly raised their three children primarily in Canton, Ohio, where Martha was a faithful and active member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Cathedral.

Following her retirement from the Worthington School District, Martha and James relocated to Florida, embracing a energetic chapter filled with travel, volunteerism, and treasured time with family and friends. Martha found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and maintained a vibrant social life, always surrounded by those she loved.

A woman of exceptional intellect and compassion, Martha spoke seven languages and possessed a deep respect for global cultures. In retirement, she served as an international election monitor, helping to ensure fair and democratic elections in 36 countries-work she considered both an honor and a calling. Together, Martha and her husband, James, also sponsored more than 60 families displaced by war during the Serbian conflict, reflecting their profound commitment to humanitarian service and compassion for others.

After the passing of her beloved husband, James, Martha moved to Illinois to be closer to family. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a loyal friend whose kindness, wisdom, and generosity touched many lives.

Her legacy is one of love, service, faith, and family-values she lived by and passed on to all who were blessed to know her. Martha enjoyed playing cards, dining with friends, photography, and living her life anchored in a strong and unwavering faith in God.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, from 8:30–10:30 a.m. ET at Haky Funeral Home, 603 North Gallatin Avenue Extension, Uniontown, Pennsylvania. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. ET at St. Stephen's Byzantine Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Martha's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.https://www.stjude.org

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