Martha H. Colbourn

Martha H. Colbourn, 86 of Elkhart, IN, passed away on April 24, 2015 at Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born Jan. 29, 1929 in Catonsville, MD to Charles E. and Margaret (Matthews) Howell. She married Joseph L. Colbourn on Oct. 18, 1952 in Baltimore, MD. He survives along with 6 children; Joseph L. (Juanita) Colbourn Jr. of Ellicott City, MD, Margaret Mary (Mark) Moranville of Charlottesville, VA, Jeanne Bosse of Elkhart, Charles E. Colbourn of Cincinnati, OH, Kathleen M. (Monty) Kelly of Elkhart and Patricia (John) Gagnon of Arnold MD; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christina Elaine Murray.

Martha received her RN in the early 1950’s. She was a stay home mom until all kids were in school. In 1971, Joe’s job took them to start a new life in Elkhart, IN. After settling in Elkhart, Martha went back to school and received her BSN at IUSB. She continued her education and received her MSN at Indiana Wesleyan University. Martha retired as a Registered Nurse for the Elkhart County Health Dept. after 20 years. As Joe’s job returned them back home to the Baltimore area, she then worked for the American Red Cross as a nurse for 10 years.

She enjoyed swimming at the YMCA and traveling with her husband. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Visitation for Martha will be from 2-4 & 6-8 pm Wednesday, April 29th at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home, Elkridge, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Thursday, April 30th at St. Paul Catholic Church, Ellicott City, MD. Burial will be at New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore, MD.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org.

Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart is entrusted with local arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.