Martha Gandolfo Spiel

Martha G. Spiel, age 89, of Oceanside, California, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, just twenty days shy of her ninetieth birthday at Majella Assisted Living, LLC. Born Martha Anne Gandolfo on February 26, 1934, in Key West, Florida, to Marguerite Amelia Mathews-Gandolfo and Joseph Antonio

Gandolfo and was the couple's only child. Martha was a 1951 Key West High School graduate, being

cross-graded a year ahead of her peers. After graduation, she began working as a telephone operator for Southern Bell Telephone Company in Key West, FL; on several occasions walking to work, she was accompanied by President Harry S. Truman and his security detail. She also worked briefly at Horace

O’Bryant Junior High School in 1974 and for City Electric System (Keys Energy Services) in 1980.

In 1955, Martha married Brooks Herrick Cathey at Old Stone United Methodist Church on July tenth and subsequently raised three children: Susan Joy (1958), Sherri Anne (1961), and Brooks Herrick, Jr. (1972). In 1981, after the dissolution of her marriage, she married her KWHS sweetheart, Donald Edward Spiel, in Carmel, CA, making California her home. She worked as a cafeteria assistant shortly before becoming a special education classroom assistant for twelve years at Robert Downs Elementary School in Pacific Grove, CA, retiring in 1995. Martha was an avid reader and enjoyed participating in her neighborhood bunco group. She also enjoyed traveling with Don throughout Europe for several scientific symposiums. As well as hosting scientists from around the world in her home, sharing many Key West “Conch”

cuisine fare. Martha loved music and enjoyed singing; performers at her retirement community were often surprised at how she knew all the lyrics to the music they played. Martha was preceded in death by her parents and both husbands.

She is survived by her children, Susan J. Ham (Terry) of Key West, FL, Sherri C. Lytle (Dennis) of Oceanside, CA, and Brooks H. “Rick” Cathey, Jr. of Fresno, CA; her four grandchildren, Terry “TJ” Ham, Jr., Manami A. Lytle, Jenna A. Cathey, and Shaun H. Cathey.

As per Martha’s wishes, there will not be a memorial service, and inurnment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA, will occur at a later date.