Martha A Palermo

Martha Agnes Palermo, 98, of Woodbridge, VA, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, was called to eternal life on January 2, 2025, at home while surrounded by family after battling Alzheimer's Disease for many years.

Born on November 26, 1926, in White Haven, PA, Martha was a devoted daughter of Alexander and Veronica Martinchek, growing up on a rural Pennsylvania farm with her seven siblings. Following high school, she moved to Wilkes Barre, PA, with her sister Mary, and ultimately to Washington, DC, with her sisters Helen and Polly, where she worked as the secretary for the vice chief of the Bureau of Ships (U.S. Navy). It was in Washington where she met fellow Navy employee Peter Palermo at a dance on JFK’s inauguration day in 1961. The two were married on April 4, 1964, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Arlington, VA. Their greatest accomplishment, other than their 45 years of a happy marriage, was being blessed with their six children.

Family was always at the center of Martha’s life, especially her children and their families. She made countless sacrifices for her family…whether driving kids to school, games or meets, helping the kids with their early morning newspaper deliveries, reviewing homework, or simply sitting at the kitchen table for conversation, she was always there for them. She loved all her dogs, was an avid Redskins fan, and enjoyed her nightly glass of Sherry. Her most precious times were whenever her children visited with her grandchildren in tow. She always had the fridge filled with HUG barrel drinks, frozen pizzas, and Klondike bars, which the grandkids still vividly remember.

Martha had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. She often spoke fondly of her Catholic upbringing and schooling and her life was a reflection of her faith. She was a compassionate, nurturing, humble woman who was strong and seldom complained. Even at the end of her life, her most often repeated statement was “everything is hunky dory”, whether it was true or not. She inspired her family in how she lived her life, even through the difficulties she faced over the years.

She is survived by her six children: Andrea Palermo of Springfield, Patricia Palermo of Manassas, Monica Blank (Rich) of Woodbridge, Peter A. Palermo (Stephanie) of Midlothian, Michael Palermo of Woodbridge, and Anne O’Malley (Kevin) of Centreville, and her sister Emmy Facenda of White Haven, PA, 23 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Peter M. Palermo, and six of her seven siblings: Mary Stugrin, Helen Mai, Thomas Martinchek, Alex Martinchek, John Martinchek, and Polly Harlin.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA, followed by a funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. Burial will immediately follow the Mass in Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, VA at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Food for the Poor, Inc., or Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (VA) in her memory.