Luann H. Martin
January 17, 1949 ~ July 14, 2015
Luann Habegger Martin Obituary
Luann Habegger Martin died peacefully in her sleep at 12:05 AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at her home in McLean, Virginia. As her health declined from an aggressive cancer, she chose to focus on the positive, giving thanks for the 66 beautiful, fulfilling years of life she was given.
Luann was born on January 17, 1949, in Berne, Indiana, to C. Earl and Donna (Roth) Habegger (both deceased). She married Raymond Sauder Martin, originally from New Holland, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1975, in Berne. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Annette Martin Ozaltin, married to Emre Ozaltin, and Gregory Habegger Martin, both of Washington, DC, and a six-month old grandson, Emerson Troy Ozaltin. She is also survived by a sister, Terri Coolman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, married to former Adams County Sheriff Thomas Coolman (deceased), a brother, Scott Habegger of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, married to Karen Causey, and stepmother Rose Huser Johnson Habegger of Berne, Indiana.
She earned a bachelor's degree in English at Goshen College in Indiana. Following a year in peace studies at what is now the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana, she pursued a master's degree in International Development at American University in Washington, DC. After a volunteer position at the Mennonite Central Committee Peace Office in Washington, DC, she joined her husband in his Foreign Service career with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), serving in Ghana, Cameroon, Pakistan, and Zaire (now DR Congo).
In her professional life, she focused her writing and organizational talents on promoting mother and child health and nutrition, working with prominent international organizations including UNICEF, USAID, and FHI 360, where she retired last December as Associate Director for Communications for a global maternal and child health project. Work colleagues around the world speak admiringly of her contributions to child survival and health in developing countries.
She was devoted to family, actively involved in church, and enjoyed cooking, entertaining, reading, theater, and travel. She was kind hearted, creative, principled, and an attentive listener.
A memorial service, open to everyone, will be held Saturday, August 1 at 10 am at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA, her church home since 1992 where she held leadership roles in Sunday School and Adult Education. Condolences can be shared online at the Money and King website, https://www.moneyandking.com/_mgxroot/page_10780.php?id=1528633, or sent to her husband at 1817 Rupert Street, McLean, VA 22101, or by email to martinrs@aol.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Global Mother and Child Health Activities of Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501, designated for the Luann Martin Memorial, or online at https://donate.mcc.org/registry/luann-martin-memorial
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Luann Habegger Martin died peacefully in her sleep at 12:05 AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at her home in McLean, Virginia. As her health declined from an aggressive cancer, she chose to focus on the positive, giving thanks for the 66 beautiful, fulfilling years of life she was given.
Luann was born on January 17, 1949, in Berne, Indiana, to C. Earl and Donna (Roth) Habegger (both deceased). She married Raymond Sauder Martin, originally from New Holland, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1975, in Berne. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Annette Martin Ozaltin, married to Emre Ozaltin, and Gregory Habegger Martin, both of Washington, DC, and a six-month old grandson, Emerson Troy Ozaltin. She is also survived by a sister, Terri Coolman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, married to former Adams County Sheriff Thomas Coolman (deceased), a brother, Scott Habegger of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, married to Karen Causey, and stepmother Rose Huser Johnson Habegger of Berne, Indiana.
She earned a bachelor's degree in English at Goshen College in Indiana. Following a year in peace studies at what is now the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana, she pursued a master's degree in International Development at American University in Washington, DC. After a volunteer position at the Mennonite Central Committee Peace Office in Washington, DC, she joined her husband in his Foreign Service career with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), serving in Ghana, Cameroon, Pakistan, and Zaire (now DR Congo).
In her professional life, she focused her writing and organizational talents on promoting mother and child health and nutrition, working with prominent international organizations including UNICEF, USAID, and FHI 360, where she retired last December as Associate Director for Communications for a global maternal and child health project. Work colleagues around the world speak admiringly of her contributions to child survival and health in developing countries.
She was devoted to family, actively involved in church, and enjoyed cooking, entertaining, reading, theater, and travel. She was kind hearted, creative, principled, and an attentive listener.
A memorial service, open to everyone, will be held Saturday, August 1 at 10 am at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA, her church home since 1992 where she held leadership roles in Sunday School and Adult Education. Condolences can be shared online at the Money and King website, https://www.moneyandking.com/_mgxroot/page_10780.php?id=1528633, or sent to her husband at 1817 Rupert Street, McLean, VA 22101, or by email to martinrs@aol.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Global Mother and Child Health Activities of Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501, designated for the Luann Martin Memorial, or online at https://donate.mcc.org/registry/luann-martin-memorial
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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My deepest sympathies to the entire Martin family. I have very fond memories of Luann from our years at AED. She was warm, funny, and very good at what she did. I am so sorry for your loss.
Luann, I’m so sorry to hear you’re gone but am sure you can hear me on the other side! I just found out about your passing and it makes me very sad. I consider you a great colleague and friend. I really enjoyed talking to you about nutrition, religion, and life in general. You’ll be sorely missed. Kirk
Working with Luann at AED/FHI, I was always struck by her dedication to MCH issues. Focused, competent, and yet gentle, Luann was a major part of several programs that made real differences in the lives of women and children. It was an honor to work with her. Condolences to her family on your great loss.
I went to high school with Luann in Berne, Indiana. I thought she was one of the prettiest girls in our class and she was, without a doubt, one of the smartest. I sat by her in Biology class and English class. When it was time for our Junior-Senior Reception (Prom), I took Luann. I will always remember Luann as the first girl with whom I had a date. I send my sincere condolences to her family.
My family and I first met Luann in Kinshasa. Gregory and Annette were about the same age as my two children. In addition to USAID gatherings, we often met at school and other social occasions. I appreciated visits with her and Ray after our evacuation and the many things they shared with me and my family. I’ll remember Luann as one of the kindest and open persons I ever had the pleasure to know. We’ll miss her and I want to express my deepest condolences to all she leaves behind. Thanks Luann for your quiet faith in people and your good cheer. An inspiration has moved on.
I met Luann while working together on the Alive & Thrive initiative. She was a genuine and warm colleague and will be greatly missed. My sincere sympathies to Luann’s family and loved ones.
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your sister, Terri. She had a great life helping those in need and she made your mom and dad proud.
I am sorry for the family’s loss. Please take comfort in the promise of the resurrection mentioned in the Bible at John 6:40.
After the birth of my youngest sibling my mother went through a serious postpartum depression and was hospitalized. Grandma came to live with us, then one of her sisters. I was a clueless 13 year old whose life was in turmoil but couldn’t see that fact. So many stressors, too many to enumerate. One day in math class the teacher (I was seriously intimidated by him) told me I was goofing off and to basically get with the program. As low a point as any in my life. Luann sat in front of me and briefly turned around to acknowledge that my mother was in the hospital and that she was thinking about me. Someone cared. A recognition of another’s hardship. One of the defining moments of my life.
Sunil and I send our deepest condolences and sympathies. We will be praying for Ray and his family and we are very sorry to hear the bad news. We are with you during this difficult time.
Sunil and I send our deepest condolences and sympathies. We will be praying for Ray and his family and we are very sorry to hear the bad news. We are with you during this difficult time.
I was so very saddened to hear of Luann’s passing. I have very fond memories of Luann — she was one of the first individuals I contacted in Washington DC during my job search right out of graduate school back in 1993, and she was so very helpful. Later I had numerous opportunities to interact with Luann while she was on the Linkages Project, and later on Alive and Thrive. I always remember her wit, wisdom, and sense of humor. She is greatly missed. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God’s strong presence, and the love and good memories you shared, provide peace and comfort in the weeks and months to come.