Martha J. Isaac Obituary

Martha Josephine Isaac was born on July 14, 1948, in Mwanza, Tanganyika. Her parents, Donald, and Lisette Ebeling were missionaries on the small island of Ukara in Lake Victoria. Her brother Carl joined her a year and a half later. She attended boarding school at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, where she graduated from high school. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Wheaton College, IL, in 1970. She taught the third-grade class at Benjamin Franklin school in Glen Ellyn and special education at Prairie school in Urbana, IL.

While at Wheaton, she met her future husband, Randy Isaac, whom she married on July 17, 1971. Her passion was interior design which she displayed in five houses in the various IBM locations where Randy was assigned. Randy's retirement job at the American Scientific Affiliation enabled a move to her sixth location in Magnolia, MA, an oceanfront house that she greatly enjoyed decorating. Another passion was traveling, and she accompanied Randy on business trips whenever possible as well as numerous vacation trips.

Marta, as she was known, brought a smile to the face of all those who came to know her. Her empathy, love of beauty, expressions of love, and faith radiated a sweet and loving spirit that lifted many a struggling soul.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her brother, Carl Ebeling, Redwood City, CA, and her husband of nearly 52 years, Randy, of Magnolia, MA.

Her service will be held at the Union Congregational Church, 3 Norman Ave, Gloucester, MA, on Thursday, April 13, at 10 a.m. Following the service, attendees may pay respects to the family. The burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Life Ministries, 233201 Lake Center Ave., #100, Lake Forest, CA 92630 Attn: Larry Sonnenburg. Memo on check In Memory of Marta Isaac.

Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.