Martha Ann Diehl Torian

Martha Ann Diehl Torian was born in Houston, TX on August 8, 1934. She passed away peacefully on February 17, 2019. Martha was preceded in death by her parents Louie Diehl and Katherine Fisher, her stepfather Roy Ferrell, her sisters Patsy Attaway, Betty Johnson, Nellie Johnson and Katherine Stephenson, her brothers Frank “Sonny” Diehl, Leroy Ferrell and Marshall Ferrell.

Martha is survived by her daughter Billie “Missy” Feehery and husband Tim, granddaughter Meghan Feehery, grandson Kevin Feehery, great granddaughters Lahna and Evey Flores, brother Roger Ferrell, James Kliever, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In her younger days, Martha was a member of the Salt Grass Trail Rider’s Association. She rode in several trail rides, drove race cars in crazy eight derbies, rode motorcycles, loved to go dancing, worked on cars and could fix just about anything mechanical. She turned her focus to being a mother after Billie was born. She was very involved with Billie’s schools and coached some her softball teams.

She worked hard all her life, first to help support her parents, then as a single mother to support herself and Billie. She pumped gas at the Walling’s Service Station in the Houston Heights back in the 40’s, worked at the Houston Meat Packing Company and for the Allright Parking Company in Downtown Houston after that. Martha also worked as a receiving clerk for the Gerland’s Food Fair and Food King, and finally retired from Family Dollar. After retiring, Martha volunteered at the MANNA Thrift Store and food pantry. She was also a member of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Golden Youth and Prayer Blanket Ministry.

Martha was a devoted mother, granny and great granny until the end. She always loved taking care of our family, putting our needs ahead of her own. Being a great granny is what she loved most in her final years. Her faith was strong and she always had a special place in her heart for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. We will miss her dearly, but know we will see her again one day as we all look forward to the Resurrection.

Our family would like to thank everyone who has supported us with prayers and gestures of kindness. We ask you to keep us in your prayers and we will keep you in ours. We would also like to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers at the Memorial Hermann Hospital Greater Heights and the Houston Hospice who lovingly cared for Martha and our family during her journey home to our Father in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church or the Houston Hospice.