Martha Marie “Marty” Carter Rodriguez, age 80, died at Providence Colby Campus Hospital, Everett, on Sept. 27, 2009. She was born Oct. 31, 1928 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Frank Sidney Carter and Elberta Foster Carter.

She was a retired nurse who loved life and people. Her zest for life was apparent in all she did. She was a cancer survivor for over 25 years and attended the Cancer Survivor Celebration every October with her children. She was a devout Christian who loved the Lord with all her heart; a faithful member of Island Christian Church and loved each and every person as family. She was a valued and active volunteer on Whidbey Island for over 20 years.

She taught inmates at Island County Jail how to read and tutored children at elementary schools. She served at the Oak Harbor Senior Center with Natural Helpers, Travel Committee, 4th of July Ice Cream Socials, Pancake Breakfasts, as an AARP Driving Instructor, Blood Pressure clinic nurse, special events, The Red Hat Society, Coordinating Committee, her beloved Bingo and donated many items for raffle sales to benefit the Center. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Most of all she volunteered her heart. She gave her love freely without any expectations in return. She brought her famous chicken soup to anyone who was ill. She loved her husband, family, people, a good joke, Neil Diamond and Angels (many of us thought she was one). Marty greeted everyone with, “Hello, Friend” and a warm hug. Her smiles, laughter and friendship will be sorely missed.

Funny, quick to laugh, courageous, kind, loving, beautiful (inside and out), generous, vibrant, sparkling and friendly. There are not enough words to describe her.

Marty is survived by her husband Mike of Oak Harbor; her children, Michael R. Noack and wife Peggy, Nolan William “Bill” Noack and wife Linda, and Marsha Lynn Brown and husband Mark, all of Coupeville, and Nancy Moore (husband Calvin, deceased) of Everett; her stepchildren, Bud Bainbridge (wife Elena, deceased), Lydia Ferguson and husband Jim, all of Oak Harbor; her sister, Betty Lightner of Bakersfield, Calif.; and 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and scores of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 1 grandchild, Jimmy; four brothers; two sisters; and her parents.

Please join us for a celebration of her life on Saturday, Oct. 31, (her 81st birthday) at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, from 1 to 5 p.m. Appetizers, cake and beverages are provided with special memory sharing starting at 2 p.m. Come share, visit and celebrate! Memorials to the Forgotten Children’s Fund, Toddler Learning Center or Children’s Hospital Foundation are encouraged. Arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.