Sister Mary Martha

Sister Mary Martha                       ND 4352               PDF Download
(formerly Sister Mary Cecilianne)
Martha MAYNARD

Christ the King Province, Chardon, Ohio, USA

Date and Place of Birth:             March 12, 1927               Youngstown, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession:     August 16, 1948              Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:            November 28, 2016        Health Care Center, Chardon
Date and Place of Funeral:         December 1, 2016          Provincial Center, Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial:            December 1, 2016          Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio

“Live through love in God’s presence.”

Martha was the second daughter born to William and Cecilia (Collins) Maynard. The family moved to Akron and then to Cleveland Heights where the girls began their education at St. Ann Parish School. Two younger brothers were born but the older of the two contracted scarlet fever and pneumonia and died at the age of four. It was faith that sustained the family and love that prompted them to reach out to others in need. This reaching out to others in need became a characteristic trait. Throughout life, Martha was interested in and proud of the accomplishments of her very large extended family.They were a source of energy and life as she held their joys and concerns in her daily prayer.

Martha continued her education at Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland, where she enjoyed a wonderful spirit and happy times. It was there that she heard the call of Jesus to pursue religious life as a Sister of Notre Dame. She entered the novitiate on September 8, 1945, and at investment received the name Sister Mary Cecilianne, sharing the patronage of St. Cecilia with her mother. Later she returned to her baptismal name Sister Mary Martha.

Sister received her Bachelor’s degree from St. John College of Cleveland and earned a Master’s degree in Hearing and Speech Therapy from Western Reserve University, Cleveland. Her ministry in the area of education spanned more than thirty-five years in her service as elementary teacher, principal and SND community supervisor. She was a demonstration teacher at Campus School of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, for seven years and was appointed the first Notre Dame principal at St. Mary School in Chardon. Sister was dedicated to excellence in education and generously assisted principals and teachers in a loving, caring way. She served the community as local and regional superior and viewed all her responsibilities as a sacred trust. Sister Mary Martha felt she was missioned to embrace each person she met, child or adult, because each was a reflection of the God whom she treasured. Her life was lived in love, searching for and finding God’s presence everywhere.

Upon retirement from education, Sister Mary Martha entered into a ministry dear to her heart—pastoral care and ministry to the elderly and homebound. Whether in a parish, visiting at the hospitals or in our Health Care Center, she offered words of encouragement, engaged in conversation and was attentively and prayerfully present with each person. Her smile conveyed welcome, acceptance and peace. May Sister Mary Martha know the eternal embrace of her beloved God, the Center of her life!