Obituary of Martha Whipple Gasche "Marty" , 82

Martha "Marty" Whipple Gasche, 82, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center after a three year illness. Born in Jersey Shore, she spent most of her life before marriage in Bellefonte. She was a daughter of Harry and Emma Whipple, both now deceased.

She graduated from Bellefonte High School in 1946 and worked as a Bell Telephone Operator and secretary and personnel assistant at the Ordnance Research Lab until 1953. On July 2, 1953, she married Arnold Gasche, Ensign US Navy, who survives her.

She is also survived by sisters Margaret Smead. of Owings Mills, Md., and Kathryn Temchack, of Bellefonte; their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; a son, Stephen, of Seeley Lake, Mont. and his wife Elizabeth and their children, Caleb and wife Mariana, Gabrielle, Linsey Branam, Easton Branam, Ryland Branam, and grandson Evan Branam; one daughter, Kathleen and husband Dr. Ronald Weiner of Jackson, Tenn. and children, Adam, Matthew, Christopher, and Nicholas.

Arnold and Marty moved from Bucks County to State College in 2001 after having spent their early years in Navy locations and in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Texas. Marty was an excellent piano player and formal band vocalist, an avid tennis player, race walker, and self-taught nutritionist and fitness enthusiast. She was a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association, having been given the association's Outstanding Club Leader Award in the mid 1970's and having served on the boards of five alumni chapters. She was a member of the Center for Performing Arts (Penn State) Directors Circle and Event Sponsor, Nittany Lion Club Honorary Coach, and Navy League of the U.S.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, with Monsignor David Lockard as celebrant. Interment will be in Boalsburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association , 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110 for programming and education. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.