Martha (Waller) Smith

Martha Waller Smith, age 96, of Mechanicsburg, died at Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Martha was born on Tuesday, February 14, 1928, in Chester to the late C. Lynn Waller and Jean (Bright) Waller.   Martha is preceded in death by her long-time special friend: Lynn Schaeffer.  

Martha’s survivors include her two sons: Charles “Rob” Robert Smith of Lancaster, PA, Richard “Rick” Dudley Smith and his wife, Hiroko Furukawa of Brooklyn, NY; her sister, Mary Lynne Young of Coral Gables, FL; her nephew, Carl “Knute” H. Young, III of St. Petersburg, FL; a great nephew, Craig; and a great niece, Hannah. 

Martha excelled in her academics, graduating at the age of 16 from Daytona Beach High School as part of the class of 1944. She followed in her mother’s footsteps by enrolling in Cornell University where she became involved in a number of campus activities including the sorority Alpha Omicron Pi, which was the same philanthropic sorority in which her mother was a member. Martha graduated from Cornell University in 1948 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a minor in Sociology, while faithfully remaining on the Dean’s List throughout her time at college. Later in life she graduated from Shippensburg University in 1974 with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. 

Martha retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, after 20 years of service working as a Research Associate. She was a member of Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, where she sang in the Choir and was active in the life of the church. Martha had a love of music and theater which started at a young age while listening to the opera with her mother on Saturday afternoons, a tradition she would continue with her two sons.  In high school she played the flute and piccolo in the high school marching band, and sang in the church choir. In college she worked as a classical disc jockey at the campus radio station.  Across her lifespan, Martha maintained an active lifestyle, particularly with music and theater. Martha enjoyed bus trips to New York City, summer playhouses, Watergate concerts, attending concerts at Messiah Village, as well as local musicals throughout the community. She was a world traveler, traveling to locations on three continents. Martha enjoyed playing Bridge and was an avid reader enjoying all genres and topics.  She served as an ombudsman for the Office of Aging, was a volunteer for the Visiting Nurse Association and a faithful volunteer at Messiah Village. Martha will be dearly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known her.

All are welcome to join Martha’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 10:45 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. at Saint Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with The Reverend Alex Martini officiating.  Martha’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship in the church’s fellowship hall immediately following the service.   Burial will follow the reception in Rolling Green Cemetery in Camp Hill. 

Contributions in celebration of Martha’s life can be made to Saint Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA  17055.

Martha’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Martha’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.