MARTHA GILLHAM MAHONEY 54 of Shaker heights died Sunday, February 12 in her home

with her husband at her side, She was born to Richard and Margaret Gillham on April 23, 1962,

in Odessa, TX and raised there along with older brothers Rick and Marks. Martha graduated from

Permian High School, received a BA in Communications from the University of Texas, and a MA from

Bank Street College in Education. Martha met the love of her life, John, in New York City

and they married in 1991. They have called Shaker Heights home for the last 22 years. Martha was a

child life specialist at Bellevue Hospital NY, then a full-time mother to her four children she adores.

She devoted her life to loving her children and all that walked into her kitchen. A wide Texas smile,

keen sharp wit and smooth drawl served as the front for her kindness born of an unwavering faith.

Her home was a welcoming place of joy with jazz, country or show tune music usually playing and where

unconditional love was the rule. It seemed everyone she met felt better and remembered their

Martha encounter. While a nutrition and exercise fanatic, Martha could not resist a french fry or two.

Through her inherent joy and faithful spirit, she unknowingly transformed the lives of many people.

Martha is survived by her husband John, her children, Jack, Peter, Gus, and Margaret and countless

friends and family. In lieu of flowers , the family asks donations be directed to Bald Benevolence,

the kindness movement she founded to assist men and women with stage 4 metastatic

breast cancer. BaldBenevolence.ItemOrder.com All are invited to greet Martha's family and

celebrate her life at Canterbury Golf Club on Friday February 18, 6:30-9:30 pm and Funeral Mass at

St. Dominic Church,19000 Van Aken Blvd., Shaker Heights, Saturday February 18 at 11:00 am.