Kitty Marie Martz

The staff of Heishman Funeral Home/Valley Funeral Service sends condolences to the family of Ms. Kitty Marie Martz. Miss Kitty, as she was affectionately known by many, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 10, 2026, following complications from open-heart surgery. Born on July 23, 1946, in Edinburg, Virginia, Kitty was the daughter of George “Scorcher” Martz and Mary Catt Martz. She was raised to be a strong, hardworking, and honest woman, shaped deeply by her parents’ influence. Her father—her living, breathing hero—carried with him the hard lessons of the Great Depression in rural Appalachia and passed them on to Kitty. From him, she learned how to shoot, how to get by with almost nothing, the value of hard work, and the importance of treating others with respect. Her mother taught her the skills and strength needed to be the pillar of a family, especially how to be an exceptional mother—lessons Kitty carried with her throughout her life. After graduating from Central High School in 1964, Kitty began her career at Shenandoah Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She later advanced into accounting and payroll, all while raising her three children. In 1987, she packed up her family and moved to Willow, Alaska, where they owned and operated Pioneer Lodge. Kitty moved her family back home to Virginia in 1991 and continued working in banking, bartending, and management. She loved interacting with people and had a remarkable gift for making lifelong friends wherever she went. Her children were the pride of her life and her greatest accomplishment. They often heard her say that she was “so tired she couldn’t see straight,” but nothing ever stopped her from providing for them. She willingly went without so her children would never have to. Kitty was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Charles “Grubby” Martz; and her sister, Mary Sue Burch. She is survived by her daughter, Renee Hawkins; her sons, Daryle Minnick (Lisa) and Heath Silcott; Grandchildren, Anthony Minnick, Gabrielle Minnick, and Christopher Taylor; Great-Grand daughter, Layla Minnick; her sister, Betty Martz; her “adopted” son, Bo Hall; her lifelong best friends, Sandra & Podge Green and Ruth Smith; and her friend, Houston "Butch" Toman Jr. Miss Kitty will be remembered for her strength, sacrifice, humor, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her family and God. Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 17th at Valley Funeral Service in Edinburg, from 6pm to 8pm. Funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Brian Duncan and Randy Whetzel on Sunday, Jan. 18th at 2pm, at Valley Funeral Service. Graveside service will follow at Cedarwood cemetery in Edinburg. A celebration of life will be held at the Edinburg VFW, immediately after the service. Pallbearers - Daryle Minnick, Heath Silcott, John Stevenson, Rex Bowman, Bo Hall, and Brian Hepler. Honorary pallbearers - Houston "Butch" Toman Jr., Christopher Taylor, Sandra Green, Podge Green, Ruth Smith, and Jason Ryman. Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.

Kitty Marie Martz

July 23, 1946 - January 10, 2026