Martha Diana Wallace

Martha Diana Wallace, known to everyone as Marty, peacefully passed away on April 20, 2026, at the age of 81. She was a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and warmth that touched countless lives.

Marty was born on December 26, 1944, in Washington, DC, to Stanley Clifford Wright and Virginia Theresa Hardy. She grew up surrounded by a big family and carried that love of family with her throughout her entire life. She always put her family first, and everyone who knew her understood that about her right away. Marty was a loving and kind mother to her daughter, Dianne Wiles, and her son, Glen Wiles. She adored her four grandchildren, Deke, William, Josh, and Elizabeth, and they brought her immeasurable joy. Her family was her world, and she made sure they never doubted that for a second.

Beyond her family, Marty had the kindest soul you could ever hope to meet. She had a great sense of humor with an infectious smile and laugh that could brighten any room. She was generous, empathetic to all, and simply the sweetest person. People who crossed her path were better for it. Marty loved to go to yard sales and estates sales to find treasures. Marty was also a devoted animal lover. Her dog Sadie was her constant companion for the last seven years, and together they made quite the pair. Over the years, Marty fostered dozens of cats and kittens, giving them the care and love they needed until they found their forever homes. She gave her time and money to help make her community a better place. Marty volunteered thousands of hours at the Jacksonville Public Library, First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Jacksonville Humane Society, St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry, and Scarf Bomb Jax. She loved to crochet and knit, and she put those skills to beautiful use, making hundreds and hundreds of hats and scarves that were distributed to the homeless and people in need over the last years of her life. She also enjoyed bird watching and planting flowers, finding peace and happiness in the simple beauty of nature.

Marty is survived by her daughter, Dianne Wiles and son-in-law Nunziato “Nooney” Ritacco; her son, Glen Wiles and daughter-in-law Medea Apostolis; Her stepson Jeff Wallace and wife Stephanie Wallace, her step daughter Lianne Bennet, her brother, John Wright; her sisters, Mary Jeane Reed, Roxana Pierce, and Denise Burgess; along with her four beloved grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Allan Wallace, her parents, her step father Joseph Kuhn, her sister Barbara Tatum, and her brother Joseph Kuhn.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home on April 27, 2026. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The service will be officiated by Bishop John of St. Philip Neri Ecumenical Church.

Marty will be greatly missed by all who knew her. May she rest in paradise, free from pain.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice and St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry. St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry Donations: https://spnanimalministry.org/donate/

Donations may be sent by check to: St. Philip Neri Animal Ministry 9050 Cypress Green Drive, Building 301-302 Jacksonville, FL 32256, The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care Donations:

https://thefoundationcares.org/give/

Donations may be sent by check to: The Foundation at Community Hospice and Palliative Care

4266 Sunbeam Road Jacksonville, FL 32257