Obituary of Martha Haldeman Elliott

Martha Haldeman Elliott, 95, of Manheim, PA died on Thursday morning, October 11, 2012 at Pleasant View Retirement Community in Manheim following a brief illness. Born in Rapho Twp., Lancaster County, PA, she was the daughter of the late John B. and Annie Ginder Haldeman. She was the wife of the late Douglas H. Elliott who died in 2000. Martha was baptized into the Christian faith and became a member of the Chiques Church of the Brethren as a young woman. She was first employed by the former Hershey Industrial School where she attended night school to earn a high school diploma. While in Hershey, she was a member of the Hershey Symphony Choir, which she enjoyed greatly. She left Hershey to take an office position with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Harrisburg, again, enrolling in night classes to continue her education and became a member of the Harrisburg Symphony Choir. During this time, she was also an active member of the USO during World War II. Martha's great curiosity about life caused her to move again to Miami, FL where she accepted employment with Pan American World Airlines. This time her evening classes focused on accounting. Her work with the airline allowed her to visit countries in Europe, Mexico and Cuba. Coupled with her interest in seeing other parts of the world, she decided to apply for an overseas job with the United States government. Her first assignment was in the Civilian Payroll Office with the USDA in Tokyo, Japan in 1951. Her time in Tokyo was interrupted when she volunteered for a similar position in Korea and, while there, witnessed the end of the Korean War. She then returned to Japan to finish her original assignment. For the next four months, she and a friend traveled continuously by plane, ship, and bus throughout the countries of Europe and onto Egypt, Jerusalem, and India. After one year of non-government work in Washington, DC, she again sought to satisfy her interest in government and international affairs and took a position with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a branch of the US State Department and the overseas Embassies. This assignment had her working in the controller's office for the USAID in Korea; Kabul, Afghanistan; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Washington, DC; and Quito, Ecuador. It was in Quito where she met geologist Douglas Elliott. They married in Quito in 1969. Martha and her husband continued to travel the world together, Douglas working as a geologist for the United Nations and Martha as a Budget and Accounts Officer for the USAID. She was assigned to a position in Ankara, Turkey and retired after completing an assignment in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She accompanied her husband for the next 3 ½ years in Khartoum, Sudan and Houston, TX until his retirement. The call of the sea took them to Marathon, FL where they enjoyed snorkeling and boating. They then relocated to Las Vegas, NV in 1989 where they lived until returning to Manheim in 1996. Martha enjoyed her nieces and nephews, always following their various interests and careers. In addition to her interest in travel and music, she enjoyed oil painting, swimming, reading, and the performing arts, including opera, ballet, and the symphony. She also had a deep fascination the coral reefs, which she explored while snorkeling in waters all over the world. She is survived by a step-son, Frederic, husband of Agnes Elliott, of Canada; a step grandson, Christopher Elliott and his wife Beth Anne and their daughter Ivy; a step granddaughter, Joy, and her husband, Daniel Charboneau, of Tucson, AZ; and five siblings, Daniel G., husband of Catherine Haldeman, of Lititz, PA, David G., husband of Mary Haldeman, of Lancaster, PA, Robert G., husband of Viola Haldeman, of Manheim, Glenn F., husband of Mary Haldeman, of Landisville, PA, and Joyce, wife of Clarence Lowe, of Mount Joy, PA. She was preceded in death by eight siblings, Anna Hess, Thelma Keener, Grace Hoffer, Rufus Haldeman, John Henry Haldeman, Phares Haldeman, Marlin Haldeman, and Jacob Haldeman. A memorial service will be held on Monday morning, October 22, 2012 at 11:00 am at Chiques Church of the Brethren, 4045 Sunnyside Road, Manheim, PA with her nephew, William Haldeman, officiating. There will be no viewing. The family will visit with guests at a luncheon in the Family Life Center of the church immediately following the service. Private interment will be in the Chiques Cemetery. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Visit www.spencefuneralservices.com to express a condolence with the family or to watch a webcast of the service any time after Tuesday morning.