Marion Martha Walsh

Martie, as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Burlington, NC to the late William Walter Brown and Luzette Callum Brown.

Martie studied abroad at the University of Nottingham in high school, then attended Randolph-Macon Women’s College, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Ohio State University, and received advanced degrees in Art History and Philosophy. She applied her logic and design skills to a successful career in telecommunications software development and marketing at GTE, where she met her husband. She continued in telecom systems engineering for several years after they moved to Raleigh, before retiring to devote herself to rearing their son full time.

She was a talented artist, gardener, chef and a terrific mother. Her watercolor paintings reflected her passion for fine art, she was adept at raising many varieties of roses in her garden, and her love of good food was reflected in the delicious meals she prepared daily, culled from the hundreds of cookbooks she collected. She instilled a love of art and cooking in her family and was consulted often by friends for recipe ideas.

Martie also devoted time to volunteer work, including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Junior League of Phoenix and of Raleigh, Meals-on-Wheels, the JC Raulston Arboretum, the North Carolina Watercolor Society and the Altar Guild at Christ Church. She was a member of The National Society of Colonial Dames of America.

She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Arthur Lee Walsh; son, Eugene Leigh Walsh of Raleigh; and brother, William Walter Brown, Jr. and wife Janet of Burlington, and nephews Walter Callum Brown and William Travis Brown.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Altar Guild.