Obituary of Martha K. Lenahan

HONEOYE FALLS, NY—Martha Kathleen Unruh Lenahan passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at the age of 72, surrounded by her loving husband of 50 years, David, and her three devoted sons, Michael (Kristi), Daniel (Shannon), and Matthew (Courtney). She is survived by seven grandchildren whom she adored more than anything: Evan, Maggie, Katherine, Emory, Tory, Emma, and Kerry. She also is survived by her sister, Jeanne Unruh Gorton (Burt), brother-in-law Richard Lenahan (Gail), along with a niece, nephews, cousins, and innumerable friends. She passed as she lived—surrounded by friends, full of humor, and with an uncommon grace. She is the proud daughter of Cornelius and Jane Unruh and grew up on Castlebar Road in Rochester, attending Number 1 Elementary School and graduating from Monroe High School in 1963. She married David in 1968 and they spent the next 15 years moving across Europe and the United States with the U.S. Army. In 1982, they settled in the village of Honeoye Falls, which became the corner of the earth that she considered home. Here, she raised her boys and became a beloved member of the community. She taught special education at the Honeoye Falls-Lima High School for many years, less than a mile from her house, and became a second mother to countless students. To her friends she was Kathy, to her students she was Mrs. Lenny, and to her grandchildren she was Grandma, Mamie, and Baba. All thought the world of her. Try as we might, no combination of words can do justice to her life, nor express the magnitude of our grief. Mom's impact on people was remarkable and long-lasting. She was always trying to improve others and led by example by always trying to improve herself. Her best qualities loomed so large that they need not be exaggerated. Her patience was inexhaustible. She made friends, lots of them, and invested in them until the day she died. Her sense of humor was a local legend. She did kind things for people who needed kind things done, without hesitation or expectation. Most of all, she saw the best in people, never gave up on anything, and directed all her energy to advancing others. Even at the very end, she was teaching us about ourselves and allowed us to discover a strength that we didn't know that we had. The impact that she had on this world will last far longer than the 72 years she was in it. We invite you all to join us for calling hours to celebrate her life, share memories, and tell stories at Merton Kays Funeral Home in Honeoye Falls on Wednesday, August 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. We also hope you can join us for a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls on Thursday, August 16, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to the Honeoye Falls-Lima community that she loved so much. We suggest the Mendon Public Library or the Lima Primary School Community Food Pantry.