Martha Gresham Centers

After a difficult battle with cancer, Martha died at her home in Cottonwood, CA on October 26, 2009.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Centers, and by her niece Martha McKellar Scullion (husband Roger and son Ian), and nephews Louis McKellar (wife Takako), Reid McKellar (wife Kirstin and children James, Fiona and Graham) and John McKellar (wife Julie and daughter Jeanette). Martha was born on March 23, 1945 in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she lived for most of her life. There she worked as a Director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum, where she documented and photographed the lives of local musicians. She acted as a liaison for the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and coordinated the booking of musicians for the enterprise. As a freelance photographer, she photographed a wide variety of musical artists, such as Linda and Paul McCartney. Upon the death of her mother, Janet Gresham Souchon, she left New Orleans to live in the San Francisco Bay Area with her sister, Jan Gresham McKellar and her family.
Upon arriving in California, Martha entered a rehabilitation program and successfully dealt with the addictions that had become a part of her life. Out of recovery, she then became a counselor and therapist, dedicating herself to helping others. While working as a therapist for O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, Martha met Jack Centers and they were married in 1989. Martha lived in San Jose for 12 years, where she was a great solace and support to many people. In 2001, to be near her sister and family who had previously relocated to Shasta County, Martha and her husband moved to Cottonwood. Martha continued her mission of helping others with their addictions and alcoholism. She made a deep impact on the lives of many women and men in the community. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and especially her husband, Jack with whom she spent twenty of the happiest years of her life.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 6th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Cottonwood.