Martha Lahetta, 94, Taught English and Special Education for 27 Years
On Sunday July 3, 2011 Martha Lahetta was sent on her journey to heaven and eternal peace.
Martha was born March 31, 1917 in Lorain and was a lifelong member of St. Joseph parish until it closed.
She made national news in August of 1925 when she was the first patient brought back to life after a shot of adrenalin applied by Dr. Robert Stack.
As a teen she was on the Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary Drill Team which competed for championships. She was a 1935 graduate of Lorain High School.
Martha married William Lahetta and together raised ten children.
At the age of 48 she went to college at the Elyria extension of Kent State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1971. She taught for 27 years, the first two in Lorain and 25 years as a Special Education teacher in Sheffield-Sheffield Lake Schools where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1991. She taught English in Poland during the summer of 1997.
She enjoyed traveling and has been to five continents and numerous countries, collecting a spoon from each country. She enjoyed bowling and participated in two leagues. In 2009 she was inducted into the Lorain Bowling Hall of Fame, winning the USBC Pioneer award.
Martha was a member of the St. Joseph Ladies Guild, Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary, Lorain County Retired Teachers Association and Ohio Teachers Association.
She is survived by daughters Carole (Thomas) Moran, Judith (Lawrence) Rusin, M.J. Smith, Mary Jo (Raymond dec.) Rodriguez, sons Carl (Marcy) Lahetta, William (Pearl) Lahetta, James (Glorianne) Lahetta, Thomas (Christine) Lahetta, and Phillip Lahetta, 20 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Lahetta in 1988, a son Paul Lahetta in 1955, parents Eric and Caroline Ericson, and a grandson James Lahetta in 2011.
Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home, 2920 Broadway Lorain. Funeral services will be Friday July 8, 2011 beginning with Closing Prayers at 9:15 AM in the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in Mary Mother of God Church 309 W. 7th St. Lorain. Fr. Daniel Divis will officiate assisted by Rev. Mr. Luis Maldonado. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.