YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - (Mahoning County)

Martha Hodges Katz died Saturday night, April 25, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her family, after a nine-year battle with cancer.

Martha was born Aug. 1, 1941, in Ashland, Kentucky, the third child or Richard Edward Hodges and Marian McQueen Hodges.

After moving to the Youngstown, Ohio area in 1969, Martha graduated summa cum laude from Youngstown State University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974, and a Master of Science degree in Education from YSU in 1976. She was both a national certified counselor and a licensed professional clinical counselor (L.P.C.C.).

Martha began her career as a mental health worker in 1976, and worked for several agencies before becoming a counselor in private practice from 1988 to 2009.
She served as an instructor in family medicine for the former Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM, now NEOMED) from 1990 to 1997.
Martha served the community as a member of the Mahoning County Commissioners’ advisory board to the Battered Persons Crisis Center and on the boards of Save Inc. Program for Victims of Domestic Violence, Ryan White Fund AIDS Consortium, Burdman Group and the Sojourner House Domestic Violence Shelter.
Martha was instrumental in founding Sojourner House, gave the shelter its name, and was a Sojourner volunteer for many years.
Martha was a longtime activist for peace with justice in Palestine.

For many years she was a member of the Arab American Community Center of Greater Youngstown (AACC) of the Coalition for Peace in the Middle East (CPME) and the Valley Coalition for Peace and Justice (VCPJ).
Martha established the Youngstown chapter of Women In Black, an international women's peace movement.
In 1993, Martha led a delegation from Youngstown to El-Bireh, Palestine, establishing a sister-city relationship between the cities.
In 1995 and 1996, Martha led CPME delegations from Youngstown to the UN headquarters in New York City to participate in efforts for peace and justice.
In 2002, Martha led Women in Black in silent vigil for a hour each week in front of the Federal buildings, in downtown Youngstown, to protest United States government policy in the region.
In 2004, as a member of VCPJ, Martha initiated a weekly series of public vigils, which still occur, protesting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2006, Martha co-led, with Ray Nakley, a media delegation from Youngstown to Palestine-Israel to report on prospects for peace
. Martha served as president of the Interfaith Council for Peace in the Middle East (IFCPME), which, during her tenure in 2008, organized and hosted the first SABEEL international conference for northeast Ohio, in Cleveland, Ohio at the River’s Edge Community of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Over the years, Martha received special recognitions for her professionalism, community service and peace advocacy. These included the Doris Burdman Service Award, the Clair M. Carlin Award, Sojourner House Special Recognition for service to the victims of domestic violence, three awards from the AACC for working for peace with justice in the Middle East, and Peace advocacy awards from both the Presbyterian and United Methodist churches.
Martha loved sharing good food with family and friends at favorite restaurants and at home, as she was a wonderful cook, in her own right.
She was a treasured and deeply-loved member of the extended Nakley family, which was only really complete at Thanksgiving, when Martha’s son, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters traveled faithfully from the east coast, for many years, to make the celebration the highlight of the year.
Martha loved to travel. She was grateful for wonderful trips with her sister to Thailand, Nepal and East Africa, with her sister and brother-in-law to Yellowstone National Park, Caribbean trips with her children and grandchildren, and to the Pantanal of Brazil with her son.

Martha was an avid reader, enjoyed poetry and music of all kinds.
Martha loved the Canfield Fair and worked for many years at the International Building in the Lebanon, Palestine and United Nations booths.

Martha is survived by a son, Stephen Katz of New York City; a daughter, Julia Katz White (William); and three granddaughters, Miranda, Rebecca and Sarah, all of Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

She also leaves two brothers, Richard E. Hodges (Cleo) of Atlanta and Steven Hodges (Sallie) of Abingdon, Va.; a sister, Harriet Mohler (Daniel) of Charlottesville, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Katz of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Finally, Martha leaves her life-partner of 27 years and caregiver, Raymond Nakley Jr.; and two beloved felines.

She was preceded in death by sisters-in-law Barbara Hodges, Betty Burke and Edna Buntman; a brother-in-law, Dr. Bertram Katz; and a nephew, Jon Katz.

Martha and her family are deeply grateful to her physicians, Drs. Nelson, Krishnan, Singh, Labib, Katz, and Ricciardi; their staff members; and the Hospice of the Valley House and crisis nursing staff for their excellent care, kindness and considerations.

Material tributes may be sent to the Interfaith Council for Peace in the Middle East (IFCPME), 112 N. Garland Ave., Youngstown, OH 44506.
Any funds will be used to continue Martha’s work for peace with justice in the Middle East, supporting the victims of domestic violence, and caring for homeless animals.

Calling hours will be at the Schiavone Funeral Home, 1842 Belmont Ave., Youngstown,OH on Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m., and from 9 to 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, preceding a funeral at 10 a.m

See more at: http://www.vindy.com/news/tributes/#sthash.RADsgWc4.dpuf