Martha M (Stratton) Giffen

Martha Stratton Giffen, 77, of Barnesville died Sunday, December 4, 2016 at her home.  Martha was born on November 17, 1939 in Flushing, Ohio to the late Howard Ephraim and Mabel (Whinnery) Stratton.

Martha attended Kent State University where she received a Bachelor of Education and went on to Ohio University where she earned a Master Degree and worked for 37 years in Ohio Public Schools teaching elementary education.  She was a recorded minister for Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends-Conservative and a member of Stillwater Monthly Meeting of Ohio Yearly Meeting since 1976.  She was a member of the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) and led a Quaker Youth Pilgrimage in Great Britain with her husband, Randy and they attended the World Council in Japan.  Martha belonged to the Brooks Bird Club of Oglebay Institute, Belmont County Farm Bureau High Ridge Council, Rock Hill Grange, National Trail Quilters Guild, was a former 4-H advisor for Rock Hill 4-H Club and a member of the Old Iron Power Club.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James Randall Giffen; and sister-in-law, Alice Jean Hall.

Martha is survived by her husband, Fred Duane Wickham, Sr.; five children: James Lawrence (Janice) Giffen of Bellaire, Jonathan Lewis (Dawn Morris) Giffen of Bellaire, Gwendolyn Yvonne (Bruce Cowen) Giffen of Bellaire, Joseph Park (Sarah) Giffen-Hunter of Minnesota, and Jennifer Lee Giffen of New York City; 12 grandchildren: Esther Giffen, James Giffen, Savannah (Nathaniel) Martin, Mabel Giffen, Amos Giffen, Aaron Giffen, Maria Giffen, Lee (Becca) Bradley, Timothy Bradley, Crystal Bradley, Eilidh Cowen and Lake Giffen-Hunter; two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Giffen Martin and Dune Orion Bradley; three siblings: Lewis (Wanda) Stratton, Clara (Ollie) Iden and Mary Ellen (Ed) Wall; sister-in-law, Jane (David) Blaney; two step-children: Leslie (Roger) Taggart and Fred (Stacey) Wickham, Jr.; three step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and three brothers-in-law: Carl (Sandy) Wickham, Stanley (Becky) Wickham and Lynn Hall.

Following Martha's wishes, her body will be donated to Ohio University where she will continue to teach even into death. A memorial service, after the manner of Friends will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 10am at Stillwater Meeting House in Barnesville, Ohio.

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