Martha Ann Kanagy

Martha Ann Kanagy (97) passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, in Orrville, Ohio. She was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 11, 1927, to Willis M. and Miltilda (Umble) Kanagy. She graduated from Hesston College and Goshen College with a master's degree in education. Martha Ann spent her teaching career in Puerto Rico, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio.
Martha Ann was fiercely independent and loved international travel, particularly to Spanish-speaking countries. She taught for a number of years at the Academia Menonita Betania in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, where she learned to love the Spanish culture. She was fluent in the Spanish language and taught Spanish classes in both formal and private settings. She took Central Christian School Mini-Term classes to Mexico, where they were exposed to conversational Spanish and cultural experiences. Martha Ann also taught classes in the sciences at Central Christian School and concluded her teaching career at Marshallville Elementary School. In retirement, she volunteered with the Open Arms Ministry and treasured spending time with her grandchildren.
Many years Martha Ann played violin in the Orrville Community Messiah Orchestra, where she later had the opportunity to play with her daughter. She enjoyed theater, concerts, and attending Mennonite World Conferences. She also enthusiastically planted and processed produce from her garden, eagerly fed the birds in her backyard feeders, and thereby reluctantly the squirrels.
Martha Ann was a very giving person, often sponsoring children at Holt International Children Services, anonymously contributing toward higher education assistance, and generously hosting international students in her home.
Martha Ann enthusiastically took on challenges and ventured into the world of motherhood when she adopted Stacy, who was then ten years old. Stacy is forever grateful and blessed for the love and many opportunities Martha Ann provided her.
She was the oldest member of Kidron Mennonite Church, where she was active in previous years. Martha Ann is survived by her daughter, Stacy (Steven) Nussbaum; grandchildren Melissa and Daniel; and her brother Allen (Bernelle) Kanagy. She was preceded in death by her brother Paul (Dorothy) Kanagy, and sister Barbara (Dean) Miller.
Closed casket visitation hours will be Saturday, February 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Kidron Mennonite Church. A private burial will follow.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Accord Care Community in Orrville and LifeCare Hospice of Wooster for the compassionate care they provided to Martha Ann, and to Spidell Funeral Home for their services.