Martha Arnold Schoonmaker

Martha Arnold Schoonmaker, daughter of Dr. Herbert L. Arnold and Nell Sineath Arnold, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 2, 1957, and died of breast cancer on January 26, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia. She was 68. Her amazing husband, James Harold Schoonmaker, kept her going no matter what her condition was.

Her family includes two wonderful daughters Annalise Rosa Schoonmaker (Mayank Bhagchandani) and Camille T. Schoonmaker. Her grandchild is Ria May Bhagchandani. Her sister is Elizabeth Arnold Silvo (Kenneth Alan Silvo). Her brother is Paul Hampton Arnold (Glynda Park Arnold). Her niece is Hibben Silvo Rothschild (Cory Rothschild). Her nephews are Shane Arnold (Corrie Arnold) and Glen Arnold (Ashley Arnold).

A journalist once asked her what her all-time favorite song was. Her answer was "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees. She danced to it in college (Transylvania University), listened to it during radiation treatments, and watched the documentary on it. The words talk about a person whose life could be better and asks for help, but she is "stayin' alive".

As a certified economic developer, Ms. Schoonmaker's career included positions in Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland's Montgomery College (MD) Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology. During her tenure in Georgia, she worked in economic development positions for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce (previously known as the Business Council of Georgia) and Oglethorpe Power Corporation; as a consultant with Arthur Andersen; and, while at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), as the manager of marketing, as well as the Course Director for the Basic Economic Development Course. Ms. Schoonmaker held the position of Director of Business Development and Investment for Prince William County's Department of Economic Development in Virginia. She led and participated in the department's efforts to expand local economic initiatives that created over 3600 jobs during her tenure. Included in her responsibilities was the marketing of Innovation Park, a county-owned business park which surrounds George Mason University's Science and Technology Campus, for company locations and expansions. She developed the Prince William County Science Accelerator within Innovation Park, a public/private investment of a 9,000 square foot speculative wet lab and signed its first tenant prior to opening. She is a past president of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, a past board member of the Virginia Economic Developers Association, a past committee member of the Maryland Economic Developers Association Professional Development Committee and held memberships in the Association of University Research Parks, Biotech International Organization (BIO) and International Economic Development Council.

Donations: VCS Cancer Foundation (www.vcscancerfoundation.org) which is administered through Martha's oncologists' office. Provides modest support for patients who are struggling with everyday living expenses during cancer treatment. Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama (Home - The Presbyterian Home for Children (phfc.org) where her parents were on the Board for years, and Burke Presbyterian Church (www.burkepreschurch.org) in Burke, Virginia.

A private graveside service and burial will be held at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. A memorial service and a time to visit with Martha's family will be held Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Dr, Burke, VA 22015.