Martha Ann Nolting

Martha Ann Nolting, née McShane, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2026, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 94.

Martha was born in Dayton, Ohio, on May 6, 1932, to James and Loretta (née Canny) McShane. She graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in education and went on to teach elementary school in Dayton for more than 20 years. Her warmth, patience, encouragement, and genuine love for her students made a lasting impression on generations of children. Many of her former students remembered Martha as their favorite teacher—a testament to the special connection she formed with those in her care.

While attending the University of Dayton, Martha met the love of her life, John Leo “Jack” Nolting. The two married and shared 69 loving years together. They first made their home in Dayton before moving to Cincinnati, where they continued to build their family and a lifetime of friendships.

Of all the roles Martha embraced in her life, being a mother to her sons, David and Daniel, was among her greatest joys and deepest sources of pride. She devoted herself to raising her boys and remained a loving, supportive presence in their lives long after they had grown. She took tremendous pride in the men they became, their families, and their accomplishments, and she treasured the time they spent together. Her love for Dave and Dan was unwavering, and the bond they shared remained at the heart of her life.

Martha also found enormous joy in being a grandmother. She adored Nicholas “Nick,” Christopher “Chris,” and Laurene, and took great delight in watching them grow and build lives of their own. She was an enthusiastic and deeply supportive grandmother who celebrated their accomplishments, shared in their milestones, and was always ready with a smile, an encouraging word, or simply the pleasure of being together. Her love for Nick, Chris, and Laurene was unconditional and unmistakable.

In her later years, Martha was also delighted to welcome four great-grandchildren—Noah, Neve, Vivienne, and Leo—and enjoyed the special happiness of seeing another generation of her family. They were a wonderful addition to a family she cherished so deeply.

Martha and Jack were part of a close-knit group of lifelong friends affectionately known as “The Gang.” For more than 70 years, this remarkable group celebrated holidays, New Year’s Eve, birthdays, graduations, vacations, and countless other milestones together. These friendships were a cherished and enduring part of Martha’s life.

Later in life, Martha—known to most simply as “Marty”—developed a passion for golf. What began as an interest became a 40-year love affair with the game. She organized and led a popular Cincinnati women’s golf league that grew to more than 100 participants, creating another community of friendships and memories that she treasured deeply. Martha and Jack also enjoyed many vacations to Bonita Springs, Florida, often accompanied by members of “The Gang.” They eventually retired to Florida, where Martha spent her later years.

Faith was an important part of Martha’s life. She was a devoted Christian and Catholic and an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cincinnati, where she joyfully served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was known for her kind and forgiving heart and for the compassion she extended to those around her.

Martha shared a particularly special bond with her twin sister, Mary. The sisters remained exceptionally close throughout their lives and enjoyed traveling together throughout the world in their later years. Their relationship was one of Martha’s greatest treasures.

Above all, Martha will be remembered for her extraordinary optimism and infectious personality. She was a cheerful, positive presence who seemed determined to find joy in life and to share that joy with others. Through life’s inevitable highs and lows, Marty kept smiling, kept encouraging, and kept lifting up the people around her. Her generosity of spirit touched generations of family, friends, students, and everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Leo “Jack” Nolting; her parents, James and Loretta McShane; and her twin sister, Mary Jones (née McShane).

She is survived by her sons, David John Nolting and his wife, Nathalene (née Gatinel), and Daniel James Nolting and his wife, Marie (née Fortwengler); her beloved grandchildren, Nicholas “Nick” Anthony Nolting and his wife, Andrea; Christopher “Chris” John Nolting and his wife, Alexandra; and Laurene Nolting; her great-grandchildren, Noah, Neve, Vivienne, and Leo; and her beloved niece and close companion, Margaret “Meg” Meeker (Jones). She also leaves behind countless friends and former students whose lives were made brighter by knowing her.

Martha’s legacy is one of love, faith, friendship, encouragement, and joy. She spent her life making other people feel valued and loved. Above all, she was devoted to her family—as a wife to Jack, a mother to Dave and Dan, and a grandmother to Nick, Chris, and Laurene. Her pride in her children and grandchildren, and the love they shared with her, will remain among the most enduring parts of her legacy.

Her smile, her laughter, her faith, and her remarkable ability to make others feel loved will be deeply missed. She leaves behind a family and community forever enriched by her 94 years of love.

Visitation will be held on September 11 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Tobias Funeral Home in Kettering, Ohio. Mass and Burial at 10:00am September 12 at Calvary Cemetery Chapel.

May Martha rest in the peace and love of Christ, reunited with Jack and those she loved, while her remarkable spirit lives on in the many lives she touched.

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