Martha Jackson Morgan (Marty) died peacefully Tuesday, September 8, 2009, on Vashon. During her almost 86 years, she had a remarkable journey from her small-town roots in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Martha was born September 15, 1923. She and brother Don Jackson were raised on the family farm by their loving parents, Gail Williams and John Warner Jackson, third-generation farmers of Welsh and English lineage. Martha loved the rhythms of rural life; her first job as a youngster was to collect the chicken eggs each morning. She recalled vividly the day when their kerosene lamps were replaced by electric light switches. Daily she walked several miles to a one-room country schoolhouse, where she had the same teacher the entire 8 years. Martha was one of four graduates in her 8th grade class. At Oskaloosa High School, she played viola in the orchestra, where this 9th grader met the love of her life, John (Jack) Morgan, a shy clarinetist who soon became her steady beau.

Majoring in English literature, with a focus on Shakespeare and poetry, Martha attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. May 1944 she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, celebrated their wedding in Oskaloosa, then moved immediately to Washington, DC, because Jack had received his Navy orders. While Jack worked as a Navy chemist, Martha served as a civilian executive secretary. Subsequently, Jack attended medical school at Iowa City, and Martha focused on raising their growing family. They relocated to San Diego, then north to Long Beach. Martha enjoyed the milder climate and year-round flowers in Southern California. They were very involved with the Los Altos Methodist Church, Long Beach Symphony, and the many activities of their four children. Summers brought family outings, long vacations to see national parks plus friends and family, and local vacations on the beach.

Marty coordinated one of the early Head Start programs for inner-city children. She went back to school, earning an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology. Her master’s thesis was a cross-cultural study of the “divine feminine” and its implications for psychological growth. She was licensed as a therapist, and worked for Long Beach Family Services. She had an excellent reputation as a sensitive and wise counselor.

In the mid-1980’s, Marty and Jack became ‘snowbirds’ between Long Beach and Vashon, then retired here to enjoy the community and proximity to their grandchildren. Marty said that the friendly spirit of small-town life and neighbors helping neighbors that they found on Vashon reminded her of her early years in rural Iowa. She continued to encourage and support her family members’ pursuit of their varied interests and adventures. She and Jack were active with the Vashon Methodist Church, Vashon Allied Arts, Quartermaster Yacht Club, and the Senior Center, and volunteered with county hospice. Marty also served as a volunteer lay counselor. She enjoyed friends’ visits and beach walks at their Dockton home. As co-founder of the original Vashon Book Club, she delved into literature and ideas that she had loved since college. She was deeply curious about other cultures and enjoyed the opportunity to travel, often with brother Don and his wife Frances and dear Vashon friends Margaret and Tom Hodnett.

Predeceased by her cherished husband of 61 years, Jack Morgan, Martha is survived by daughters Nancy Morgan and Mary Morgan Belknap of Vashon, sons Michael Morgan of Vashon and John Morgan (Lisa) of Seattle; her beloved grandchildren Julie Belknap Celleri (Arturo), Dylan Morgan, Willis Barnes, and Quintin Barnes; her brother Don Jackson, recently of Nashville TN, and nephew and nieces, Craig Jackson, Pam Jackson Henderson, Sheryl Jackson, Natalie Morgan McLaughlin, and Susanne Morgan.

Martha was a loving, kind, and generous presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren, ready to offer support and patience, to accept each of us as individuals, and to listen and love. We offer our appreciation to her friends – those relationships meant so much to her. We also extend heartfelt gratitude to the individual caregivers who assisted, and especially to Virginia and Don Hopper and their staff (Knipp Hopper Home, Vashon) for their wonderful care for Martha.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday evening, September 17, 7:00pm at Vashon Methodist Church, Pastors Darryn Hewson and Joyce O’Connor-Magee officiating. Friends are welcome to enjoy photos and meet family starting at 6:30pm. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Vashon Methodist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 330, Vashon WA 98070, 463-9804, or the Vashon Land Trust, PO Box 2031, Vashon WA 98070.

Arrangements by Island Funeral Service, Vashon. 206-463-9300.

Please visit the online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.