Martha Harrison Bentzen

Martha Harrison Bentzen, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in her home on July 29, 2024.

Martha was born on March 6, 1938, in Cincinnati, OH, and moved to Indianapolis, IN, while in high school. She graduated from DePauw University where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Martha dedicated many years to being an educator in Montgomery County, MD, including in the cooperative preschool movement. She volunteered for The Barker Foundation by raising funds and housing many women placing their children for adoption. She served on the Hospitality Committee, created by the State Department, conducting courses for foreign diplomatic women newly arriving in the United States. Martha will be deeply missed and remembered for her incredibly warm heart, unconditional love and ultimate grace.

Martha lived in Potomac, MD and Arlington, VA before retiring and moving to Virginia Beach, VA -- where her Mother's family had a cottage and Martha's family spent many summer vacations.

Martha was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Harrison of Potomac, MD, formerly of Cincinnati, OH; by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Koolage of Norfolk, VA and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Louis Harrison of Cincinnati, OH; and by her in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Bentzen (Donna) of MI and Mrs. Charles W. Harrison (Joan) of PA.

She is survived and cherished by her devoted husband of 64 years, Michael Porter Bentzen; her two siblings, Charles William Harrison of PA and Robert Edward Harrison of Wilmington, NC; her three children, Brian Porter Bentzen (Michelle) of Earlysville, VA, Elizabeth Bentzen Carnes (Michael) of Apex, NC and Katherine Walker Bentzen of Virginia Beach, VA; her four grandchildren, Samantha and Eric Carnes of Apex, NC and Rosalie Mae and Holden Brian Bentzen of Earlysville, VA; her sister-in-law, Jayne Bentzen Silverman of Washington, CT; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Interment will be private, and a celebration of life will be planned for a later time. In lieu of flowers, if you choose, donations could be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.