Mary Martin Glah

Bluefield, WV – Mary Louise Martin Glah, 81, of Bluefield passed away on Friday, August 21, 2015 at the Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Born August 2, 1934 in Pottstown, PA to Paul and Edna Ford Anders, she spent her childhood in eastern Pennsylvania. A talented athlete, Mary excelled in numerous sports including field hockey, tennis, and track, and was asked to participate in Sprint Trials for the 1952 Olympic Games. After high school, Mary attended Davis & Elkins College. In 1955, she married Thomas Vernon Martin, Sr. with whom she had three daughters and one son. The family lived in California, Connecticut, New York, Montana and West Virginia. Mary’s passion was her family, and she devoted herself to raising her children. After her husband’s death, Mary returned to Pennsylvania where she met, and later married, Robert Glah. The couple moved to Bluefield in 1990 to be closer to some of their grandchildren. Mary was a devoted grandmother to 10 grandchildren, nine of whom were boys. She enjoyed teaching them everything from how to pitch a ball to return a serve. In Bluefield Mary was active in Christ Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild, and at Westminster Presbyterian Church as a member of the Ladies’ Circle. A master gardener, Mary was active in the both the East River Garden Club and the Bluefield Beautification Commission. Anyone who visited her home could testify to her magnificent flowers. Mary’s other interests included reading and writing poetry, traveling, cooking and quilting. But to most who knew her, Mary will be remembered as a caring neighbor, nurturing friend, sympathetic listener, and an optimistic, energetic woman who loved life and lived it to the fullest. Mary will be greatly missed by her surviving family members, which include: her daughters, Cindy Stonestreet and husband Wayne of Bluefield, Carolyn Light and husband Randy of Clarksburg, WV and Christie Englesby and husband Lee of Boise, ID; her son, Tom Martin and wife Nicole of Castleton, VA; two sisters, Helen Kho of Freehold, NJ and Paula McNerney and husband Bob of Stafford Spring, CT; nine grandchildren, Bryan Stonestreet and wife Laura, Matthew Stonestreet and wife Brittany, Chas Stonestreet, Ryan Light and wife Sarah, Craig Light and wife Dawn, Reed Light and wife Kelly, Jennifer Englesby, Connor Martin and Hollis Martin; two great-grandchildren, Chiara Stonestreet and Emma Quinn Light; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husbands Thomas Vernon Martin and Robert Glah; a sister, Jeannie Sarra; a brother-in-law, Tong Kho; and a grandson, Thomas Englesby. A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Chad Slater and Rev. Jonathan Rockness officiating. At a later date, a second memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Exton, PA. Burial will follow at the George Washington Memorial Park in Plymouth, PA. The family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church Youth Program, P.O. Box 1258, Bluefield, WV 24701 or the Christ Episcopal Church Youth Program, 200 Duhring Street, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mary Glah.

Mary Martin Glah

August 2, 1934 - August 21, 2015