Martha (Fry) Montgomery died peacefully at her home in Henryville. She was 78.

Raised on her family farm in New Market with six sisters, Martha had a no-nonsense approach to life. She valued self-sufficiency and a strong work ethic in herself and others.

Like many women of her generation, she married young at 18. She and her husband Ron had three children: Donna, Ken and Todd. Ron died unexpectedly in 1984, leaving Martha to raise her youngest child Todd, who was 7, as a single mother.

History repeated itself when Todd died suddenly in 2015 and Martha assumed custody of his young children, 7 and 9 at the time.

Despite her practical style, Martha had a few soft spots. She loved taking family trips, especially to Disney World. And she was fond of traveling with her sisters, the highlight being a cruise to Alaska.

She also loved Christmas and splurged on gifts for her children and grandchildren.

For many years, Martha worked at the Silver Creek Water Company, a job she truly enjoyed.

Martha's family is honoring her request for there to be no public memorial service.

She will be remembered by her son Ken and daughter-in-law Linda; her daughter Donna and son-in-law Drew; her seven grandchildren: Ty, Krystina, Logan, Trevor, Darin, Sarah and Danielle; her four great-grandchildren: Chris, Chayse, Cam and Holden; and her surviving sisters Louise, Ruth and Margaret.