Martha Jane Pituch, Ph.D.

September 7, 1932 – June 1, 2025

The world lost a tremendous force for good when Martha J. Pituch, RN, PhD, completed her earthly journey in the early morning hours of June 1, 2025. Martha leaves an enduring legacy of love and care.

Born Martha Jane Johnson, she was the third of six children and raised in the small city of Coldwater, Michigan. At the age of 16, she felt a strong calling to become a nurse, a dream that she fulfilled beyond surpassing.

Her nursing career began when she received her diploma in nursing at Foote Memorial Hospital in 1954. Shortly after, she received her BSN degree from Wayne State University, working to support herself and pay for her education. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life and her soul mate, William (Bill) Pituch. They were married on September 7, 1957 (her 25th birthday), and Bill brought her fresh flowers every week throughout their amazing 62-year marriage, until his passing in 2018.

But Martha was not the wife that stayed home and cooked, as anyone who was ever the “victim” of her culinary skills can attest. She returned to Wayne State and earned her MSN in 1962. Never one to rest on her accomplishments, she then went on to receive her MPH from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She then taught at the U of M School of Nursing, while she pursued her PhD, which she earned in 1979. In 1997, Martha and Bill moved to Toledo (Sylvania) when she joined the faculty of the newly formed School of Nursing at UTMC (Medical College of Ohio at the time). Everywhere she taught, she mentored students and made life-long impacts.

Known by various monikers throughout her long career, including “Dr. Martha” and “Mama Nurse,” Martha personified compassion and truly did the work in public health, particularly for the underserved. In the early 1980’s, she worked to develop specialized programs for children with asthma and their families in conjunction with the American Lung Association of Toledo. In 1983, she became an early champion for HIV/AIDS patients and their families. She formed one of the earliest support networks for people with HIV/AIDS and their families. In 1985, she founded a nursing clinic, which still operates at the Cherry Street Mission, specifically focusing on primary care for the homeless and the mentally ill. The clinic allowed her students to gain real-world experience in public health and mental health nursing. The clients referred to her as “Mama Nurse” and she knew most of them by name. She continued to volunteer at the clinic well into her 80s.

Martha received many awards and accolades for her pioneering work in public health nursing. While there are too many enumerate here, the highlights include: Being inducted into the Ohio Womens’ Hall of Fame in 1991, the Golden Lamp Award from the Toledo District Nurses Association, The Compassionate Hero Award from the Multi-Faith Council of NW Ohio, the Nursing Leadership Award from the Northwest Ohio Nurses Association, and in 2014 a National Jefferson Award for Public Service (known as the “Nobel Prize” for public service).

Upon her “retirement” from UTMC (MCO) in 1996, Martha decided “to become an artist.” She attended art and art history courses at the University of Toledo and Lourdes College and joined the Toledo Artists Club. She took great joy and pride in her many paintings, hanging them at home and giving them as special gifts.

Martha Pituch never met a stranger, no matter the setting. Whether it be an academic or clinical conference, a tour bus or boat, gay bars with blaring music, or a party, Martha would know everyone by the time she left. (As well as most of their life stories…) She had boundless curiosity and was truly a life-long learner. She and Bill loved to travel the world and visit friends and family across the U.S.

Martha was pre-deceased by her devoted husband Bill, by her parents, Clyde and Hannah (Weigand) Johnson, her brothers Lewis Ward, Clyde Johnson, Jr., George Johnson, and Richard Johnson, as well as her beloved sister Betty Doxey. She leaves behind her dear sister-in-law, Shirley (Pituch) Shea, as well as many special nieces and nephews (and great-nieces and great-nephews) too numerous to mention, but all of whom were so special to her. She also leaves to cherish her memory her “spiritual” or “adopted” children Ron Richards & Estelle Saphir (New York, NY), Sherie (Mike) Modelski of Dearborn, MI, Mary Bailey of Toledo and Tom Hayward (Tom Wright) of Lexington, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Martha’s name may be made to the Cherry Street Mission , Toledo, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio . Her family would like to offer profound thanks to those at Otterbein-Sunset Village and Hospice of NW Ohio in her final months.

Visitation will be at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo on Friday, June 6, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Additional visitation will take place on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00am – Noon, followed by the funeral service at 12:00. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.