Ada Elizabeth Marten

1931 - 2024

Yuma - Ada Elizabeth (Exe) Marten

9/23/1931 - 9/15/2024

In a nutshell, my Mom was a V.H.P. (Very Happy Person). She was probably born smiling, and I know for sure she left that way. Her smile was so stunning that it was common for strangers to approach her and compliment her on it, and even more so as she aged. Many would also marvel at her thick, shiny, ivory-white hair, which had grown past her shoulders, oddly making her appear younger each year. She was only 8 days shy of her 93rd birthday when she returned to God. Her mind was still sharp, and she loved nothing more than to laugh.

Ada was born in Seattle, Washington, and passed peacefully in Yuma, Arizona, where she had recently settled with my husband, Lendwell/Lenny Helelani Motta b.1954, and me, Judith/Judy Ann Motta. We all traveled together from Washington state in our little R.V. with our dog, Ikaika Rocky, and cat, Angel Rascal Motta. It was our cozy quarters for one whole year on the road. Ada got to see and experience things for the first time in her life on that trip, and had a lot of fun doing it!

Her most recent adventure, which began at age 91 was the 2nd "trip of a lifetime" for my Mom. The 1st began when she was just 19. My Grandma Phyllis Adeline Exe (1903 - 1987) (husband Otto Benjamin Exe; 1896 - 1974) was from Sheffield, England, and wanted my Mom to travel there to meet her family. At 19 Ada rode the train across the U.S. to embark on a ship that would take her across the ocean to meet her English relatives. She, of course, was well-received and adored and talked about that experience for the rest of her life. My Mom greatly admired Queen Elizabeth II and was in London shortly before her coronation at the age of 25.

My Mom and Dad (Duane Alfred Witt; 1928 - 2008) were married upon her return from England and welcomed their 1st darling daughter, Vicky (Victoria Lynn Witt; 1952 - 2019) in Seattle, Washington (30+ yr. lifelong partner, Michael D. Johnson b. 1950). 4 1/2 years later, I came on the scene in 1957.

Duane and Ada worked and met at the Boeing Company. My Mom was a dedicated and efficient secretary. Later in her life, she was employed by the Bellevue, Washington, School district and advanced to the principal's secretary.

My parents divorced after 21 years of marriage, and both remarried. Ada reconnected with a lifelong Boeing and family friend, Bill, my Godfather (William George Marten; 1925 - 2015). Their romantic love was founded on a strong friendship and mutual respect. Bill and Ada thrived for 40+ years in marriage, working hard, building homes, traveling, and enjoying their family.

Bill's 2 daughters, Lynn (Lynn Allison Marten Wiley; (1951 - 2021) and Rebecca/Becky Louise Mullins b.1959, grew up to marry and have beautiful children of their own. Lynn and Bruce Marten Wiley b.1954, had Kathryn/Kate Lynn Stephens b. 1977, and Erin Rose Wiley b. 1981. Becky and Daniel/Dan Paul Mullins b.1958 had Melissa Marie Umansky, b.1986, and Marten/Marty Evans Mullins b. 1988. They, too, had families (Ada and Bill's great-grandchildren). Kate's kids are Hannah Elizabeth Stephens, b. 2004 and Ainsley Nicole Stephens b. 2006. Kate and Chad Andrew Sheller b.1982 are also raising a son, Issac Andrew Sheller b. 2013, and welcomed Logan Oliver Sheller in 2019. Erin's children are Rose Marie Wiley b. 2000, Ada Lynn Avila b. 2005, and Cameron Tomas Avila b. 2008. Melissa and husband Andre Anderyevich Umansky, b. 1981, had son Aidan Robert Umansky b. 2012, and Arya Bella Umansky b. 2016. Marty and Jessica Susan Mullins b.1992, had twin girls, McKenna Audrey Mullins and Madison Rachel Mullins b. 2001, and recently, a son, Maverick Vincent Mullins, b. 2023.

Vicky was married to Errol David/Dave McCue, b.1944), and welcomed Sean David Mccue, b. 1983. Sean married Iuliia/Julia Leonidonya Abramamova, b.1984, and they're raising a son, Nikita Aleksondrovich Abramamova b. 2007.

I hanai'd/adopted a daughter in Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii, Mai/Mary Ann Xuan Hoang b.1985.

Ada was a lover of animals, flowers, and fashion. She was an avid gardener well into her 80's.

She and Bill had many friends and loved entertaining in the home they built on Camano Island, Washington, where they enjoyed their retirement years.

My Mom had many hobbies, including sewing, knitting, crocheting, stained glass, painting, reading, and most of all, cooking for family and friends. She loved to surprise Bill by cooking up a new recipe every night! He adored and appreciated her, and always said, "You outdid yourself again, dear!".

The 2 of them belonged to the Camano Island Yacht Club, a Collector's car club, and an R.V. club. They danced, dined, traveled, and played many hands of bridge.

Ada was the Song leader and Salutatorian of her class of '49 at Tolt High School in Carnation, Washington, and was admired during her life because of her beauty, sense of humor, talent, and charm.

Her mind stayed sharp until the end of her life here, maybe because she was a competitive bridge player, a crossword puzzle solver, a Scrabble champ, and always stayed informed on politics and current events. Ada has one (of 4) remaining siblings, Ruth Victoria Exe-Huber b.1941, and many nieces and nephews.

To say my Mother will be missed ... is heart-wrenching ... but thankfully, love and life are eternal gifts through our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Living Lord.

Instead of flowers, which fade away in this world as we do, take someone's hand today, look them in the eyes, and tell them how much they are loved ... because, at the end of our time here on earth, that's truly the only thing that matters.