Martha Margaret Fedak

Martha Margaret Riffon (Marsh) Fedak, 94, of Sabetha, Kansas (formerly from Monroe, Connecticut), passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Apostolic Christian Home Assisted Living in Sabetha.

Martha was born on February 5, 1929, to Alex and Mary (Gullak) Riffon, in Kelayres, Pennsylvania, a coal mining town. Martha was the youngest of eight children. When Martha was a teenager, her parents moved her and her youngest brother to the Bridgeport, Connecticut area. She was reunited with many of her older siblings who had already moved to Bridgeport because it was a fast-growing manufacturing area with plenty of jobs. Martha continued her education in Bridgeport and graduated from Warren Harding High School in 1948. During high school, Martha met Clinton F. Marsh Jr., and they were married in 1954. Four years later, Martha and Clinton happily welcomed a daughter, Donna. In 1962, Clint moved his family to Monroe, Connecticut.

In Monroe, the family was happy and enjoyed celebrations including picnics and parties with family, friends, and neighbors. Martha also learned how to care for horses, which became a big part of the Marsh family. When Martha started a job at General Electric, she learned how to drive, and was employed at General Electric for over 27 years. She also helped with the Marsh family business, Marsh’s Restaurant, in Trumbull, Connecticut. On October 1, 1987, Martha’s husband, Clinton, passed away. After his death, Martha became an active member of the Monroe Senior Citizens, where she belonged to the knitting and crocheting club, handmaking many items for charities and making many good friends. She was active until she moved in 2022. Martha met Eugene “Gene” M. Fedak, and they were married on December 2, 1999. Martha and Gene lived in Monroe and were happily married for almost 20 years. Gene passed away on July 24, 2018.

After some encouragement from Donna, at the age of 93, Martha moved from Monroe, her home for over 60 years, to Sabetha. It was her last big adventure, and she was so happy that she moved to Sabetha and was able to spend her final years with family. Martha also loved living at the Apostolic Christian Home Assisted Living, where she met many wonderful people. Throughout her life, Martha’s Catholic faith was very important to her. She was committed to her faith and was a member of Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Trumbull, Connecticut.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Clinton; her second husband, Eugene; her seven siblings, including her four brothers, Adam, Andrew, Daniel, and Steven Riffon; her three sisters, Anna Flintosh, Mary “Mae” Bekech, and Helen Riffon; and many other family members.

Martha is survived by her daughter, Donna (Patrick) Herrmann; her two granddaughters, Marty ( Joel) Demro and Amy Herrmann; her grandson, Clinton P. Herrmann; her three great-grandchildren, David Demro, June Demro, and Wellington Hooper; her brother-in-law, George Bekech; her two stepdaughters, Jean Lydiksen and Mary Ann Rosco; her stepson, Eugene Fedak Jr.; several step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha, Kansas. A Mass will be held at St. John The Baptist Church, 100 St. John Dr., Trumbull, and interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Stratford, at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.

Local arrangements in care of the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, Trumbull, CT.