Mrs. Martha E. (Towne) Kolarits

Mrs. Martha E. (Towne) Kolarits, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Born in Utica on August 1, 1920, Martha was the daughter of the late Warren E. and Margaret (Eck) Towne. She was a graduate of Sauquoit Valley High School and the Utica School of Commerce. She was married to Francis Kolarits and shared with him a blessed union of 57 years. Martha was employed in secretarial positions during World War II in Utica and then at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Silver Springs, MD. Afterwards, she worked in secretarial positions at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY and at Bendix in Utica. She later worked from 1977-1988 at the New York State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in Utica. Martha was a parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where she especially enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was also active in the parish as a member of the Perpetual Adoration Society and the St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Society. She belonged to the National Secretaries Association, St. Elizabeth Medical Guild, and the Antiquer’s Society. Her interests also included reading and travel. Martha is survived by her husband, Francis; her son and daughter-in-law, Francis M. and Rhonda Kolarits, of Canton, Ohio; her grandchildren, Andrew Kolarits, and Rachel Kolarits, both of Canton; her sister, Ella Mae Pero of Lancaster, NY; and her brother and sister-in-law, Warren S. and Lotte Towne of Sauquoit. Her extended family includes her two nieces, and a nephew. In keeping with the family’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Martha’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Monday morning at 11:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of Mass. In lieu of floral offerings, please consider memorial contributions in Martha’s honor to the Alzheimer's Association online at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp; envelopes will be available at the service. Interment will take place in Sauquoit Valley Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mrs. Martha E. (Towne) Kolarits

August 1, 1920 - April 26, 2016