Great-grandmother, volunteer, traveler

Martha (Marty) Jo Stoddard, a resident of La Verne for more than 60 years, died April 22 at the age of 86 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Pomona.

She was born on September 18, 1939 to Clyde and Mabel Lowe in Bushnell, Illinois. She was extremely active in high school activities, including becoming the homecoming queen her senior year and playing the drum in the school band. She met Phillip Stoddard in Bushnell and they married in 1958. She worked as a hairdresser in Macomb, Illinois while Phil was completing his college degree. Over the next four years they had three children: Dane, Michelle and Traci.

Her husband’s career took them to Ohio, where she would frequently load up all three infants and drive to Bushnell to be closer to family while he traveled. In 1964 they relocated to California and bought their first new home in La Verne, where they raised their family. She became actively involved with the Red Cross as her children got older, eventually becoming the first female chairman of the board of the Pomona chapter. Through that association, she met someone that would set her career in motion.

Pomona Motor Parts was looking for someone to do data entry for their new computer in the late 1970s. After successfully completing that job, she was asked to join the computer company, Triad, and over the next decade rose up through the ranks to become western area sales manager, another first as a woman in a bourgeoning technology field.

Volunteering was something that she did throughout her life. She worked with various organizations, including helping build houses with Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of the Casa Colina Auxiliary.

The couple enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the U.S. After her husband’s death in 1992, she expanded her travels throughout the world, enjoying many adventures, especially with her brother Al and sister-in-law Nancy. “In the time since her passing, friends and family have been comforted with special memories such as her welcoming and generous spirit, poolside fun for generations, holidays gatherings — always at her home — and the annual school clothes shopping sprees with her grandchildren whom she loved deeply,” her family shared.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Phil; her mother and father; her brothers Bobby, Roger, and Leon; her sister Louise; and sister-in-law Nancy.

She leaves behind her brother Al; children Dane Stoddard (Amy), Michelle Stoddard and Traci Wesolik (Dave); grandchildren Shelbi Moore (Jeffrey), Paige Dean, Phillip Stoddard, Kiley Nichols (Jason), Bob Stoddard, and Maddie Stoddard; and great-grandchildren Wyatt Nichols, Colton Nichols, Beau Moore, Emerson Nichols, and Forrest Nichols.

“Giving back was very important to our mom,” her family said. “In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donating to your favorite charity or donating some time to a worthy cause.”

A celebration of life will be held on June 13 in Claremont.