Martha Jean Ward

Martha Jean Ward, age 88, passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2024, in Midway, Utah. She was born on February 23, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri to John Frederick Rutledge and Hazel Huff Rutledge.
After raising a family and working as a nurse, nurse practitioner, and educator, her intellect and sense of adventure led her to engage in democratic politics, Buddhism, and world travel.
Throughout her life, she was also known as Marty Manley and Marty Kaegel. She married her high school sweetheart, Compton Eugene “Gene” Ward, on September 13, 2019, after reconnecting with him on Facebook at age 82.
Martha is survived by Gene, her three children: Ben Manley (Vicki Kurtz), Anne Manley, and Bill Manley (Robyn Manley) ; as well as niece, Sally Fitz, nephew John Fitz, and four beloved grandchildren: Clara Petrie, Nell Petrie, Rhys Manley, and Parker Manley. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Tanny Fitz.
A celebration of life will be held in Boulder, Colorado in early 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Together Women Rise ( https://togetherwomenrise.org/give ), an organization near and dear to her heart that empowers women and girls around the world.
We are grateful for the example she provided of a life well lived, for the affection and spirit with which she touched so many lives, and for her mantra “Be Here Now”.