Martha S. Colbert

Martha S. Colbert 1957-2014 Martha S. Colbert passed away at her home in Napa on May 23, 2014, after a battle with peritoneal cancer. Her husband and sister were with her. Martha was born in Tucson, Arizona, on Nov. 6, 1935, to Richard and Arveda Verhaegen. She grew up in Modesto, California, graduating from Modesto High School and Modesto Jr. College, where she met the love of her life, Lavon Colbert. She graduated with a bachelor's degree and a teaching credential from Sacramento State College. She and Lavon were married on Aug. 18, 1957, and moved to Napa, where they have since resided. In Napa, Martha taught at Westwood Elementary for two years then moved to Silverado Jr. High School, where she taught science for 38 years. She was known for having active laboratory classes and famous for her classroom menagerie consisting of reptiles, amphibians, and almost anything that could be kept in a science classroom. She was an avid collector of crystals, fossils, shells, and Indian crafts and artifacts. Martha was active in Girl Scouts, having earned her Curved Bar Award, the highest award given at the time. She enjoyed counseling at Camp Jack Hazard YMCA camp and directed the YMCA day camp. In Napa, she became a member of the Saddle Jackets, the Rolling Ridge Riders, and the Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association, holding many offices in each. She and Lavon were instrumental in the development of Skyline Park and she served on their board for a number of years. After her retirement in 1995, she became a volunteer for Community Projects where she worked upstairs weekly on craft projects and was known as their “button lady” because she carded thousands of buttons for sale. She was also active in the Napa Valley Retired Teachers. She was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Horses were the center of Martha’s life and she owned many different ones; her most loyal friend being her beloved Raudi. She was an active endurance competitor and over the years rode many of Northern California’s trails. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Lavon Colbert of Napa; her sister, Ritchie Musick of Fairbanks, Alaska; nieces Michelle Renfrew and Monique Musick, and nephew Richard Musick, all of Fairbanks, Alaska. She was preceded in death by her parents. A Mass of Remembrance will be offered on June 4 at 1 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Napa followed by a celebration of life at Skyline Park social hall. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Napa Valley Hospice or to St. Jude Childrens’s Hospital.

Martha S. Colbert

November 6, 1957 - May 23, 2014

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Martha S. Colbert

November 6, 1957 - May 23, 2014

Obituary Notification

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