Martha Mary Towey, 72, of Rochester died Friday, December 30 at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester after living courageously with breast cancer for one and one-half years.

Martha was born in Rochester in 1944 to Robert and Helen (Madden) Towey and graduated from Lourdes High School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of MN.  She worked for AT&T in San Francisco before returning to Rochester in 1979.

Martha was a calligrapher, author, photographer and musician. She entertained for many years at various nursing and retirement homes around Rochester, accompanying herself on the guitar.  Being a lover of nature, she found great peace at the Quarry Hill Nature Center.  Martha was incredibly brave her entire life, especially in her final battle and was at peace when her journey on this plain ended. She was a spiritual guru and mentor for almost everyone she knew. Purposefully placed here to be a light for others, she taught us all how to live and, most profoundly, how to love (oh, those long hugs!).  She was LOVE. Time spent with Martha could never be enough but the overwhelming gratitude we have for every second shared with her is in abundance.  Martha's spirit and certainly her love and infectious sense of humor will remain with us forever and always and beyond.  To the end she was a relentless spiritual seeker.

Survivors include her sister, Margaret Settimi, of Brookfield, WI and her brother, John (Tylie) Towey of Sherman Oaks, CA; four nieces, Maureen (David) DeValkenaere, Nora (Neil) Holland, Lisa (Kurt Hostetter) Simon and Erin Towey; two nephews, John McKnight Towey and Jason (Kristi) Towey and five grand nieces and nephews.  Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Janelle Towey, Thornton, CO and Martha's long-time companion, Bruce Erickson. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Tom.

A celebration of Martha's life will be held on Monday, January 16 th at 11:00 a.m. at  Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5 th Ave. SW, Rochester with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Seasons Hospice House in Rochester would be appreciated.