Martha Roselia Poling, Rawlings, MD, age 86, passed away on October 14, 2024 at the Allegany Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cumberland. She was born on April 30, 1938 in Johnstown, PA, daughter of the late Cecil Fern and Maude Rosetta (Allbaugh) Catlett and is the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was a former long-time resident of Cumberland.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years John Willard Poling, her parents, one sister Joanne Carol Catlett, and one brother Ronald John Catlett. She is survived by son Kevin Douglas Poling (LTC, US Army, Retired) and wife Lorraine Vreeland Poling, one Grandson Sean Nathaniel Poling, niece Laura Lee Winebrenner, nephew Clark Catlett, and numerous cousins in the Johnstown, PA area.

Martha was a 1956 graduate of Fort Hill High School. She was a four-year member of both the girl’s volleyball and basketball teams, starring on several of Henrietta Snyder’s state championship teams. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was crowned in 1955 as the school’s seventh football queen.

After graduation she entered the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1959 with a 3 year RN diploma. She was employed at Memorial for the next 48 years in Pediatrics, Medical Surgery, Oncology, and Hospice Care. Her nursing school experiences were featured, along with several of her classmates, in the 2014 novel Last of the Best – a memoir, by Sophie Randell.

Martha was a member of the Rawlings United Methodist Church, a former member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Cumberland, a member of McKinley Chapter #12, Order of the Eastern Star, and member of the Blue Star Mothers of America. Martha enjoyed traveling to various Army posts around the country to visit her son Kevin and his family.

Martha’s retirement allowed for travel, mostly to Europe as part of a Ray Short-sponsored trip, and time with family and for volunteering – Allegany Museum, Council of the Alleghenies, Church Programs and Community organizations. She was very active in the Rawlings United Methodist Women. Martha took up painting as a hobby and produced some very enjoyable art, and she loved being a grandmother (“Granna”) to her grandson Sean.

Martha will be remembered first and foremost as a wonderful wife, daughter, mother, and friend, and also as an extremely caring and professional nurse, always putting her patients first. She was a proud member of the Class of 59 “Fun Bunch,” and enjoyed spending time through the years with her nursing school classmates.

Friends will be received at the Adams Funeral Home, 404 Decatur St, Cumberland on Friday, October 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Mike McGowan officiating. Friends will be received at 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Cash Valley Road, Cumberland, next to her husband John, and near her parents and sister. The family would like to extend many thanks to the staff of Allegany Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their efforts in taking care of Martha these past years.

Martha was a true fan of the Fort Hill Sentinels and the family asks that any donations in her memory be sent to the Fort Hill High School Scholarship Fund (FHSF/CTF), c/o Fort Hill High School, 500 Greenway Avenue, Cumberland, Maryland 21502.