Tributes

Martha (Marty) Ann Callahan, 66, of Pawleys Island, SC, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, July 25th, at Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet, SC, with her family by her side. Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley Region of Virginia, Mrs. Callahan was the daughter of the late Wayno and MaeBudd Vann, of Strasburg, VA. After graduating as Salutatorian, Class President, and President of the National Honor Society from Strasburg High School in 1965, Mrs. Callahan graduated from the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, VA, in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Following graduation, she relocated to Fairfax County, VA where she initially worked with the Department of State, but soon moved on to teach middle school English in the local school system. After a decade, working as a teacher, she left the school system and became a stay-at-home mother focused on the nurturing and success of her two children. She, however, concurrently continued her love of tennis as an active player, member and associate of the Burke Racket and Swim Club. Soon after her children left for school, she moved to Pawleys Island, 9 years ago, to reside at Heritage Plantation. Arriving, to live, in an area she long considered paradise; she began pursuing her lifelong long passion for art. Here, she summarily engaged in her continued study of the fine arts and began honing her painting skills. During this time, she became an accomplished artist. Mrs. Callahan's works were displayed and sold at the Island Art Gallery, the Breathe Art Consortium and various restaurants in the greater Pawleys Island, SC area. The family is extremely grateful she has left such a legacy of her selfless and beautiful expression for future generations to enjoy. She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, James E. Callahan III; son, Major Troy D. Callahan (USMC) and his wife Danielle V. Callahan, of Cedar Point, NC; daughter, Carly C. Petrus, and her husband James Bradley Petrus, of Charleston, SC; grandchildren, Brennan T. Callahan, Emma V. Callahan, and Madison G. Petrus; sisters, Bobbie Jean Vann, of Burke, VA; Cyndie V. Ryman and her husband Wilson J. Ryman, of Edinburg, VA; mother in law, Mary Jane Callahan, of Pawleys Island; and niece, Channell R. Hood and her husband Timothy Hood, of Owensboro, KY. A memorial service will be held at the Heritage Club, Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 at 6:00 PM with Rev. Wesley Peyton officiating. A celebration of Mrs. Callahan's life and reception will be held immediately following, at the same location. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Marty Callahan Foundation for Aspiring Artists c/o Breathe, PO Box 2684, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 or to All 4 Paws Animal Rescue Center, 67 Waverly Rd., Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Those who desire, may sign the online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com/obituaries, or may physically sign in at the service and celebration site. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Martha Callahan

April 2, 1947 - July 25, 2013