Martha Tomlinson

Martha J. Tomlinson, age 96, of Erie, PA passed away on Sunday, April 17th, 2016 at St. Mary’s Home at Asbury Ridge.

She was born in Wilmington, DE on June 17, 1919, a daughter of Earl and Bertha Lewis Johnston.

Martha graduated from Abington Memorial School of Nursing in Abington, PA in 1940. She served in the US Army Nurse Corp with the 38th General Hospital (Jefferson Hospital unit) in the North African, Middle East, Italian, and Rhineland campaigns from 1942 - 1945. Her nursing career took her to Tulsa, Cleveland and eventually to Baltimore where she worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital. While there, Martha held various staff, supervisory and faculty positions. Martha organized the Maryland Organization of Central Services and was a member of the A.O.R.N. She was also a charter member and served as president of the American Society for Hospital Central Service Personnel, an affiliation of the American Hospital Association. After retirement from AMSCO (American Sterilizer Co.), in which she was a nurse consultant, Martha volunteered for C.H.O.S.E.N. Mission Project, traveling to Africa, Asia, Central America, and India sharing her medical knowledge and passion for missions.

Martha will be remembered for her sharp wit, dry sense of humor, strong will and compassion for others. She was an avid reader and enjoyed quiet moments outdoors. She deeply loved her family, serving as an inspiration to them, and countless others through her integrity, determination, and love for Christ. Martha held dual memberships at Bethel Baptist Church and Christ United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by a brother, John Johnston, sister-in-law, Vivian Johnston, sister, Amelia A. Schaffer and great-grandsons Gavin Scott and Samuel Douglas Tomlinson.

She is survived by three sons: David Tomlinson of Rochester, NY, Richard Tomlinson and his wife Carol of Frederick, MD and Douglas Tomlinson and his wife Julie of Erie; five grandchildren: Terra Musolff, Susan Tomlinson, Jason (Casey) Tomlinson, Michael Tomlinson, Amy (Clarke) Burns and three great-grandchildren: Jacob Rhodes, Sara Rhodes and Virginia Heuni. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at St. Mary’s for their wonderful care.

Friends may call Thursday, April 21st, from 10 am to 12 noon, at Christ United Methodist Church, 2615 W 32nd St, Erie, PA, and are invited to stay for a service immediately following at 12 noon. Rev. Ron Geisler will be officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to C.H.O.S.E.N., 3638 W 26th St, Erie, PA 16506 or Christ United Methodist Church, 2615 W 32nd St. Erie, PA 16506.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506.