Martha Fennel Mihalak

martha mihalak

January 14, 1924 ~ September 25, 2018

Born in: Crab Tree, PA
Resided in: Lilburn, Georgia

Martha Mihalak, a long-time resident of Stone Mountain, died Tuesday, Sept 25 at the home of her daughter where she had been living for the previous three years. Born in 1924 in Crabtree, Pa. Martha was born into a readymade family where she had six step sisters. Later were born an additional five half siblings. She attended elementary school in Slickville, Pa. and then left her immediate family to live with extended family in Akron, Ohio for further education since there was no school transportation in her rural area. In her early years, Martha worked for Westmoreland Glass in Greensburg, Pa. and then as a nanny for the TheordoreTappert family in Philadelphia where she maintained a lifelong relationship with the family. Martha eventually worked for and retired from the General Electric Corp. in Atlanta. Martha loved cooking not only for her family but for all other visitors to her home – you could not leave empty handed. Her first love was vegetable gardening. She maintained a huge garden until she turned 90 when she was diagnosed with an auto immune disease, Myasthenia Gravis. All of her friends and family were recipients of the bounty of her garden. She was deemed the ‘tomato lady’, even though she grew a wide assortment of vegetables. Her children tried to plant a garden for her the first year she was unable to do so herself, but it was a disaster. It gave her children a greater understanding of the hard work she put into the garden. Martha met her loving husband, Steve who was in the U.S. Marine Corps. They were engaged and did not see each other for four years when Steve was serving in World War II. After the war ended, they were married and four children followed. She was extremely proud of each of them. After marriage, they spent their next 30 years, travelling around the country in service to the Marines. Their travels took them to a new duty station every three years. After retiring, they settled in Stone Mountain. Martha was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. She loved cooking and baking for the USO service men and women that were travelling through the Atlanta airport. Her homemade chicken and dumplings were legendary. She was a long time member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Stone Mountain. She is survived her sons & their wives, Steve Mihalak (Hilton Head, S.C), Edward & Virginia Mihalak (Herndon, Va.) and Marvin & Lisa Mihalak (Grayson, Ga.); a daughter Helen Susan Bledsoe (Lilburn, Ga); grandchildren & their spouses Kimberly Locklair, Ginger & Rob Carmichael, Jacob & Karla Mihalak, Suzie Mihalak, Matt & Samantha Mihalak, Melissa & Cody Hagler, great grandchildren Jay & Olivia, Shelby & Luke Locklair; Calvin, Warner, Henry & Genevieve Mihalak; Andrew & Payton Mihalak; Lyons, Jackson & Max Carmichael; Vivica, Memorie & Eden Mihalak and great, great grandchildren Callyn & Jace Campbell. The little one’s always made her so happy. Visitation will on Thursday, Oct 4 between 5:00pm and 7:00pm at Wages and Sons Funeral Home, 1040 Main St., Stone Mountain, Ga 30083. Mass will be held on Friday, Oct 5 at 11:00 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 600 Mountain View Dr., Stone Mountain, Ga. 30083. Reception to follow. Final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. at a date to be determined.

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  1. Mom, we will never forget you and miss you forever! You were our rock and the ‘glue’ that held us all together. We all learned from your unwavering love and commitment to your family and friends. I just wish I had learned more from you cooking! Thanks to you and dad for being great parents! Love you, Helen Susan

  2. Miss Martha loved people and touched the lives of so many during her time here on earth. It was a joy to watch her working in and reaping the crops from her garden that she shared with others year in and out. She leaves behind imprints of love, faith, joy and kindness that we all can follow. She has moved on but there are many memories that will forever remain in our hearts..
    Rest in peace dear friend..

  3. I feel so greatful to be a part of the wonderful family you made!!! You will forever be remembered for all the awesome things you did for everyone! I savored the very last jar of beans we had to the last tiny bean, knowing I would never be able to have them again! You were the most amazing woman I have truly ever known and your children are also.Marvin tried not to share his Easter egg you made him, but because you raised such a generous kind family he did eventually share it! Your strength and love for life and family set the bar high and we will certainly miss you!!

  4. Martha “grandma” Mihalak, it was such a pleasure being a part of your life. I have nothing but absolute wonderful memories of you and with you. You not only made me feel like one of your own, you made my girls feel like one of your own. I never left your home without a big smile a lot of laughs and mostly a very full belly. Some of my fondest memories are as of a young girl spending time at your home with you, Steve and Ginger, in the garden and helping with your garden stand right outside your home. Those are wonderful memories. And so many more. Thank you for letting me BE a part of your family. They are all pretty spectacular because of you. You will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace beautiful lady. I love you so much.

  5. Where do I even begin! When I said “I do” to Marvin 40 years ago, you didn’t just become my Mother in law, you became a second mom and an amazing friend! It always warmed my heart over the years when you would introduce me to people, and make it a point to say I was your “daughter”, not just “daughter in law”. So many people in this world gripe about their in laws, but not me! I was blessed beyond words with the BEST in laws in the world! In the 40 + years I knew her, we never had an argument. Another point she would bring up to people. I can still hear her saying, “Lisa and I have never had words”! You were the sweetest, kindest, most loving and giving person and the “heart” of our family. As your sweet daughter Helen Susan said, I too wish I had conquered more of your cooking talents! Especially your ever so famous “Padogies”! We miss you so very much, but I know heaven and the angels are rejoicing at your presence! Your memories will live forever in our hearts. Rest In Peace. I love you so much.

  6. I will miss Martha dearly. I enjoyed talking with her at 5:00am while she worked in the garden and I drank my coffee during my morning walk. I loved shopping with her during which she was always looking for something for Susan. I marveled at the many people she fed from the “biggest littlest garden in Stone Mountain.” I enjoyed driving her to BINGO on Thursdays and Sundays, although I thought she was a better driver. I truly miss my friend. May God receive her soul. Thanks for the many memories. I loved the banana peppers, vegetables and fresh flowers; although, she would never let me pick the blueberries. She said that was Susan’s favorite. They were forbidden, just like the Garden of Eden.

  7. God, thank you for giving me this beautiful friend! The instructions about how to start a vegetable garden, make candy, trips to pick fruit, crocheting lessons, bingo games at the VFW and numerous visits and conversations enriched my life. My family grew to know and love you as well! I am proud to have called you my friend and other Mom. Love you always.

  8. The soldiers at the Atlanta airport USO will sorely miss her pies! And I’ll miss her cheerfulness. What a wonderful lady!


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