Martha Mary Ahr

Martha Mary (Keyes) Ahr, 81, a resident of Palm Beach County for 50 years, died in the late afternoon on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Though her passing came suddenly, she entered eternal rest peacefully, surrounded by her family. She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 6, 1945, the oldest of six children of the late Judge Daniel M. Keyes, Jr. and Gertrude (Dewire) Keyes. She was educated in Springfield at Holy Name School then graduated high school from Ursuline Academy. Martha continued her education earning her B.A. in Political Science from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. — a fitting city for a lifelong Democrat with a sharp mind and deep civic conviction. While there, she worked in the offices of her godfather, Congressman Edward P. Boland, a formative experience that placed a young Martha near the center of American political life — in the offices of a man who chaired the House Intelligence Committee and served western Massachusetts in Congress for 36 years without ever losing an election. The values she witnessed there — principled, sustained, unglamorous public service — quietly shaped the way she lived for the rest of her life.

It was in Washington, D.C., where she met the love of her life, David Joseph Ahr of Irvington, New Jersey, as he completed his medical studies at Georgetown University Medical Center. Martha and Dave were married on June 20, 1968. David’s service as a physician in the United States Army during the Vietnam War took the young couple to Honolulu, Hawaii, during their early marriage. It was there that the desire to one day build a life in a warm climate took root. At the end of his military service in 1976, they moved their young family to North Palm Beach, Florida, where they raised five children centered around their home and neighborhood of Hidden Key. Their love story, grounded in shared faith and a deep sense of community, grew into a life where the front door was always open and there was always room at the table — for holidays and ordinary Tuesdays alike. A sign in their home reads “Forever Christmas Eve,” and it captures them perfectly: the warmth, the welcome, and the abiding sense that something worth celebrating was always just around the corner.

From elementary through high school, the Ahr children attended North Palm Beach Private School and The Benjamin School — today all known as The Benjamin School — founded by their neighbors and dear friends, Marshall and Nancy Benjamin. Martha was always a fixture at school events, especially sporting events, where she could be found cheering from the bleachers. Martha co-chaired the Second Annual Benjamin School BASH (Building A Scholastic Heritage) in 1986 — an annual gala that continues to this day as the school’s largest fundraiser, now forty years strong.

Martha was an active parishioner of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in North Palm Beach from 1976 until the time of her death. She maintained a wide and varied lay ministry with the Church, including serving on the Parish Council, as a Eucharistic Minister, in the Women’s Guild, and on the planning committees of many parish events. Her early service at St. Paul’s included the planning of the February 1978 groundbreaking of the church’s current building and its dedication in May of 1979. Her devotion to her Catholic faith built a life anchored in prayer and many acts of service, rooted in her love of Christ.

One of Martha’s most treasured roles was that of volunteer Guardian ad Litem for the 15th Judicial Circuit of Palm Beach County, primarily advocating for children affected by substance abuse in the Family Treatment Court. She affectionately called the Drug Court participants and their children “My Families,” and often said that they gave to her far more than she could ever give in return. Her commitment to those suffering from addiction and seeking recovery extended beyond the courthouse. Martha was instrumental in the incorporation and development of Making Every Day Count, Inc. (MEDC), a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for the Palm Beach County Drug Courts to help participants achieve recovery and healthy lives. MEDC assists individuals in the Adult, Family, Juvenile, and Early Childhood Drug Courts with critical needs including housing, transportation, day care, summer camp and school fees. As a true living disciple, Martha was a firm believer in second chances and committed herself to giving others the best chance for success.

Martha’s extraordinary service was recognized with numerous honors, including: “Guardian ad Litem of the Year” (2023) by the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office in Palm Beach County; the prestigious “St. Mother Teresa Award” (2023) from the Catholic Charities Interfaith Health and Wellness Program of the Diocese of Palm Beach; and Florida’s Children First “Child Advocate of the Year” award (2017). These awards recognized her profound compassion, selflessness, and long-standing dedication to the vulnerable in her community.

Martha was wise and generous, kind and forgiving — and she was hysterically funny. Her one-liners are legendary and will be carried on through her children and grandchildren for generations. Martha loved travel, Broadway musicals, and the Kentucky Derby — a love made complete by her father’s convincing her as a little girl that the race was held each year in celebration of her birthday. One of the happiest days of Martha’s life was when she received the results of her DNA test, which confirmed she was indeed 100% Irish. She was a gifted writer, artist, and floral arranger, and brought that same creative spirit to the many events, fundraisers, and her own children’s weddings that she helped bring to life. She embodied the adage that people may forget what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Martha made those around her feel like they had a champion — seen, celebrated, and loved for precisely who they are — and she inspired all of us to be more generous, more present, and more alive to the people standing right in front of us.

Martha is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 58 years, David J. Ahr, M.D., and her five loving children: Kerryn Cole (Joseph), Kristin Ahr (Michael Pipkens), David J. Ahr, Jr., Meredith Ahr Goldman (Gregory), and Stephen Ahr (Jolly Anne). She is also survived by her eight beloved grandchildren: Daniel Cole, Delaney Cole, Patrick Cole, Jonas Koch, David Koch, Olivia Goldman, Dylan Goldman, and Stephen Ahr. She is further survived by her five siblings: Nancy Keyes, Elizabeth Scrivener, Kathleen Mauthner, Daniel M. Keyes, III, and Deborah Tagliaferri.

The family will receive guests for Visitation at the Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 754 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, followed by a reception. A private burial service will be held for family thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Martha’s honor to Making Every Day Count, Inc. — online at makingeverydaycountcharity.org — or by mail to 4455 Military Trail, Suite 201, Jupiter, FL 33458.