Sunday, October 6, 2024

Washburn High School

Class of 1956 - In Memory Of

Martha Elizabeth Reed

Martha Elizabeth Reed Michelsen died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011 at home following a months-long battle with cancer. She was 72 years old.

She was born Martha Elizabeth Reed in Minneapolis, where she graduated from Washburn High School as a member of "The Foxes" and the University of Minnesota, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Sorority. In 1975, Martha moved to Summit, NJ with her family and began an accomplished career, impacting the lives of hundreds through her dedicated fund-raising work at Brooklyn Polytechnic University and Montefiore Medical Center.

In 1997, Martha married the true love of her life, Dr. W. Jost Michelsen. Splitting their time between Portsmouth, NH, New York City and Port St. Lucie, FL, Martha continued to light up the lives of all with whom she had contact. With a strong sense of social responsibility, she leveraged her business savvy to help the homeless, advocate for children in the court system and make the world a better place through her spirituality and kindness. And, she found time to be the treasurer of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Stuart.

She was the picture of dignity and courage as she survived multiple battles with cancer and loss, leaning heavily on her faith and the teachings of Forrest Church. Martha's daughter, Jane, died in 2006, also of cancer.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Dr. W. Jost Michelsen; her daughter, Julie Carretero of West Newbury, MA; her son, Paul Hostettler of White Bear Lake, MN; three stepdaughters, Kristina Michelsen of Hardwoick, VT, Elizabeth Michelsen of Newtonville, MA and Ingrid Michelsen of Seattle, WA. She is survived by a brother, Bill Reed of Denver, CO; and Cyndy Reynolds, her sister, of Snohomish WA. She also leaves seven grandchildren and more true friends than anyone can imagine.

Martha was loved tremendously and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. March 5 at the Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church of Stuart, FL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Martha Michelsen Endowment of the Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church.

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