Martha Jarvis

Martha Jarvis, formerly of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2024 at the age of 85. She had been a resident of Prairie Village, Kansas since October 2021.

Martha was born on June 3, 1938 in Winfield, Kansas, the youngest daughter of Martin and Lois (Koontz) Jarvis. Martha was a lively addition to the family, joining sister Carol, who was not quite four years old at the time. Martha loved growing up in Winfield and spoke fondly of it throughout her life. She also loved traveling (often by train) to visit her grandmother (and dog Peggy) in Walnut Creek, California. After graduating from high school in Winfield, Martha attended DePauw University. She received her bachelor’s degree in history and geography in 1960. Martha spoke often of the wonderful education she received at DePauw and the many friends she made there. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, a life-long bond she shared with her sister, Carol and her niece, Sara.  After graduating from DePauw, Martha did graduate work at Stanford University and later obtained a Master’s degree from Emporia State University. 

Martha enjoyed a long and rewarding career as a high school teacher.  She taught for many years at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia and maintained contacts with many of her students long after they graduated.  She loved her friends and colleagues there. Among the many highlights in her teaching career, Martha spent a year teaching in England through a Fulbright Teacher Exchange. She was also an accomplished flutist and talented amateur photographer.  More than anything, Martha loved to travel.  She took trips to Austria for the Bregenzer Festspiele, many trips to Mexico for fun and photography, and countless other destinations. She attended the 1976 Olympic Games with her nephew John, and traveled to Austria and Switzerland with niece Sara for her 80th birthday. Martha always enjoyed returning home to her lovely community of friends and neighbors on Central Avenue, where Martha and her dogs, Delia, Lucy and Angus could be seen taking neighborhood walks several times a day.

Martha is survived by her niece, Sara Welch of Fairway, Kansas, her nephew John Welch (Margaret Lynn) of Phoenix, AZ, great-nephew Andrew Welch (Tucson, AZ) and great-niece Cate Welch (Denver, Colorado). She is preceded in death by her parents and sister.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 13, 2 p.m., at Shelley Family Funeral Home in Winfield, Kansas. Interment will take place at Highland Cemetery in Winfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to DePauw University to support music education. Memorial gifts may be made online at www.depauw.edu/give or by mailing a check to the office of development and alumni engagement, DePauw University, 201 E. Seminary St., Greencastle, IN  46135.