Martha Sheffer

10/24/19 - 12/21/15

Martha Christie Sheffer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on December 21, 2015 in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born the third of three children to Eliza and Archibald Christie in Hackensack, New Jersey on October 24, 1919.

Martie graduated from Wheaton College and completed her RN at John's Hopkins in Baltimore. Sports, music, nursing, and her commitment to Christ became a part of her vocation she and her husband would follow over the course of her life.

In May of 1944 Martie married George Franklin Sheffer, Jr. (died November 1987). They moved to Texas where she joined in George's work with teens through Young Life. She volunteered her nursing skills and spiritual wisdom to Young Life clubs, camps, women in prison, and leadership groups for the next 60 years. Martie will be remembered especially for her piano playing, which expressed her emotional and enthusiastic gift of music. George and Martie helped create and served in a variety of programs within Young Life: inner city ministries in Chicago and the Dale House Project (serving troubled, older adolescents) with their son George and his wife Jane. In 1981 George and Martie, serving in Jesus' name, traveled to Kenya to train youth leaders in the Mathare Valley slums in Nairobi. They were active members at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs since 1971.

Martie and George had three children: George (Jane) of Cascade, Colorado; James (who died 4/04) (Karen) of Chipita Park,Colorado, and Joni of Colorado Springs. Martie's three grandchildren are: Luke Sheffer, Christie (Scott) Davis, and Ali (Tim) Newton and three great-grandchildren: Liam, Chloe, and Ella.

A memorial service is scheduled for January 15, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs at 1:00 pm.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Young Life specifically for New Life of New York City, PO Box 520, Colorado Springs, CO 80901; or to the Dale House Project, 7 W. Dale Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.