Martha Ellen (Monson) Fish

Martha Ellen Monson Fish, age 95, of Punta Gorda passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Lexington Manor, Port Charlotte, Florida.

Born in Tampa, Florida on August 2, 1930, Martha Ellen moved to Punta Gorda in 1935 with her parents and two brothers. Her father, William Homer Monson, began working at the Punta Gorda Fish Company upon the death of her grandfather Eugene Knight at his ranch in Cuba. Eugene and his partner LB Gibbons established the company in 1897. Eventually William became president of the company.

Martha Ellen attended school in Punta Gorda, and upon graduation went on to get her nursing degree at Tampa Memorial Hospital before moving to Buffalo, New York where she met her husband Leland (Lee) Fish. Martha Ellen and Lee were married at the First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda on August 27, 1955.

Martha Ellen worked as a surgical nurse at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, dedicating her career to health, healing and helping others. During their time in Buffalo, Martha Ellen and Lee had five children. Martha spent her time raising her family, gardening, antiquing and was an active member of the home bureau. She and Lee made frequent trips to Punta Gorda until 1992 when they retired, moved and built their home on Florida Street.

Martha Ellen loved living in Punta Gorda, where she grew orchids and she and her husband continued to collect antique treasures. She enjoyed telling stories of her childhood, especially those of her memories of attending school with her best friends Ruth (Virginia) Hill Muth and Edna Earl Poppell and their school’s yearly May Day celebrations. She often shared photos of the Fish Company that she visited as a child, and of the fire of 1939 when she was just nine years old. Another memory was of the four shrimp boats her family had commissioned when fishing was no longer an industry and their 140 run boats were no longer in use. She loved talking about her rides to the fishing shacks on those run boats and the one on the Lisa Anne, the shrimp boat named after her daughter, on the day it was launched.

Martha Ellen always said her memories of growing up in Punta Gorda were wonderful ones of friendships and of a small town where everyone knew everyone.

Martha Ellen was predeceased by her husband Leland P. Fish, her brothers, William and Homer Munson, and her son-in-law Dan Moore. She is survived by her children Leland P. Fish, Jr. of Indianola, Iowa, Lisa Anne Moore of Indian Lake, NY, William S. (June) Fish of Charlotte, NC, Robert M. (Mary Alice) Fish of Orlando, FL, and James T. (Neena) Fish of Fairbanks, Alaska; 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

A graveside service at the Charlotte Harbor Cemetery will take place at a later date for immediate family and friends. Special thanks to Cindy Clark and Libby Schaefer for their friendship and assistance. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Martha Ellen’s name to The Punta Gorda History Center, PO Box 512557, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-2557, or The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society, PO Box 510506, Punta Gorda, FL 33951.