Martha Lynn Massarelli

Martha Lynn Massarelli, age 69, of New Philadelphia, Ohio passed away on Friday, January 25, 2013, in her residence following period of declining health. Martha was born to L.D. and Clara (Garstka) Delaney on January 26, 1943 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She attended Saint Mary Catholic School in North Little Rock and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1961. She attended University of Arkansas at Monticello where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, the college newspaper staff and was a Boll Weevil Cheerleader. Martha entered the United States Army in 1963 and was stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia where she met and married Victor James "Moose" Massarelli. After several years living in Ohio, she returned to Arkansas with her family and lived there for 19 years before relocating to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida in 1987. Martha returned to New Philadelphia in 2006. Martha worked in the medical field for 30 years as an Insurance Claims Specialist and Office Administrator. She was an extremely active and giving individual who enjoyed supporting the many communities in which she lived. In Arkansas Martha served as a Girl Scout Leader, substitute teacher and Jaycettes Chairman. While living in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Martha was a member of the American Business Women's Association where she served as President, Publicity-Co Chairman, Education Chairman, and Spring National Conference Ways and Means Chairman and was the 1993 Valentine Queen, 1994 Chapter Woman of the Year, 1998 National Friendship Star Guard Award. She was selected as a 2001 and 2002 Top Ten Business Woman in FWB. She served Okaloosa County Schools as a student mentor, was a volunteer for the Bridgeway Crisis Line, Okaloosa County Special Olympics, and a member of Zonta International, Sons of Italy and Beta Sigma Phi. In Ohio she was a member of the Sacred Heart Senior Citizen Group serving as President and Vice-President. She served as 2011 hostess of the Tuscarawas County Italian American Festival. In addition, Martha was a voracious reader enjoyed travelling with her family, scrapbooking, collecting Department 56 Snow Village Neighborhoods, clogging and flea marketing. She is survived by her husband, Jim Massarelli of New Philadelphia, her children, Victorine (Steve) Scharnhorst, Nashville, Tenn., Lisa (Kevin) Thompson, Brentwood, Tenn., Michael (Janna) Massarelli, Corsicana, Texas, Jason (Mary) Massarelli, Gulf Breeze, Fla. Her grandchildren, Emily Scharnhorst, Los Angeles, Calif., Elizabeth Scharnhorst, Okaloosa Island, Fla., Delaney Thompson, Harper Thompson, Benjamin Massarelli, Anna Massarelli, Anthony Massarelli, Mackenzie Massarelli and Julia Massarelli. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends in Ohio, Arkansas and Florida. In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her mother and father in-law, Victor and Virginia Massarelli. Father Jeff Coning will lead a memorial service on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with the family greeting guests one hour prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. In keeping with Martha's wishes, cremation will take place prior to the service. Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Martha by visiting the funeral home website at www.geibcares.com. The family requests, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to ABWA Emerald Coast Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 731, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32549.