We lost Martha Anne Thornburg, 52, recently. I was always inspired
by her smile and gratitude even during those difficult days of fighting cancer.
Her loving husband of 27 years, Jon E. Thornburg wrote a touching and
beautiful letter to Martha at her funeral service. I sincerely
appreciate his sharing this special memory here.
“For my dear Martha,
On our first date, we came across a dog hit by a car, lying on
the side of the road. We decided to pick it up and take it to the vet
clinic at Purdue. That was one of the first clues of Martha’s love for
strays; dogs, cats, and later on she even agreed to take me in and give
my life purpose. She had a boundless love for family and friends and
heaven help those that ever tried to hurt someone she loved.
Martha had a personality and a smile that was contagious. That
smile, given often, given freely, and given genuinely; you just had to
love her. She was diligent and loved puzzles and to solve problems.
When presented a problem she would jump into it and find a dozen ways
to solve it while making it seem so simple. As many know, anyone who
received teasing by Martha knew another side of her personality. She
loved to laugh, joke and tease; and she could keep a straight face the
through the punch line of a prank or joke.
Martha loved to give and to share. She gave of herself; and what
she had without limits, usually as long as nobody knew she was the one
giving. I do not believe she ever took a bow or showed off anything,
even though she had volumes of accomplishments to show and brag on, but
that wasn’t her way, except for her kids. She was forever proud of
Jessica, Andrea, and Jimmy. She raised three children who have kind and
tender hearts, giving and forgiving, polite and a strong sense of
family and friendship. She loved and was proud of her babies.
Martha loved to sing, she could be walking along, sitting, and
reading or watching a show; or doing almost anything, and a song would
come to her and she would start singing. Sometimes when driving she
would have to stay in the car a little longer when stopped so the song
on the radio could finish, and she was usually singing along with it.
Martha grew daily in her spirituality in her love of Christ and
her awe and fear of GOD. She studied the word, questioned and sought
answers, and had the faith of no one else I know. When the Holy Spirit
came to her, she accepted and was whole-heartedly grateful, and she
knew her life had really begun. She truly put her love, trust and soul
in God’s hands.
I am going to miss her. I don’t know why Martha loved me, or
ever agreed to be my bride, but I’m eternally grateful and proud she
did. I loved her and always will.”
Our deepest condolences to Martha’s family.
