Lucia Martha Chawner's Obituary
Lucia Martha Chawner died peacefully in her sleep on March 30, 2020. Martha was born in Ithaca, New York on December 2, 1933 to the late Lucia Mary (Soule') Chawner and Dr. Lowell Jenkins Chawner. She graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Bethesda, Maryland) in 1951, attended Earlham College 1951-53, graduated University of Colorado in 1956 and received her Master of Arts, Major: Reading Specialist from Southern Methodist University in 1975. Martha made her career in Education; she was a Texas Certified Elementary and Secondary Gifted & Talented teacher, and a Texas Certified Reading Specialist professional. Martha was named the 1991 Teacher of the Year at the School of Health Professions (Magnet School), Rotary Teacher of the Year in 1993, and was the recipient of the English-Speaking Union National Merit award in 2000.
Martha taught 7th grade language arts and social studies at Stonewall Jackson Elementary (now Mockingbird Elementary School), Dallas Independent School District, 1959-1963; was a reading clinician at Reinhardt Elementary School, Dallas Independent School District, 1963-1966; taught in the Reading Resource Pilot Project at Lakewood Elementary, Dallas Independent School District, 1972-1974; was a development curriculum specialist at El Centro College, Dallas County Community College District, Dallas, 1977-1978, and a part-time El Centro Instructor, 1978-1988; was an English teacher at the School of Health Professions, Dallas Independent School District, 1979-1995; a University of Texas at Dallas Supervising Teacher, Richardson campus, 1996; a part-time instructor at Richland College, Dallas County Community College District, 1978-1988; Chairman of the English Department at the School of Health Professions, Dallas Independent School District, 1989-1994; and a part-time instructor at Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch, Texas 1996-1998. Martha was a member of the English literature textbook adoption committee Dallas Independent School District, 1988-1989.
Martha was the Region 7 Chairman, National Board of Directors of the English-Speaking Union, 1996-2000; President of the English-Speaking Union, 1992-1996, Member of the National Board of Directors, 1996-2000. Leadership Arts Dallas Business Committee Arts member, 1994-1995; World Affairs Council member; Member of Daughters of American Revolution, British American Commerce Association Assemblage (President 1987-1988), Dallas Museum Art League (Board of Directors 1997-2004), New Conservatory Dallas, (Secretary 2002-2009), Friends of SMU Libraries (Board of Directors 1995-1998), Dallas Knife and Fork Club member 2003-2008, Member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Member of Pi Lambda Theta (Chapter President 2002-2008), Member of Phi Delta Kappa, and a Lifelong Member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.
Martha is survived by her three sisters, Priscilla C. Ketscher, Fresno, California, Grace C. Bowles, Greensboro, North Carolina, Lydia C. Hadley, Columbus, Ohio, her step-children Greg Andreassian, Fredricksburg, Texas and Jane A. Grunewald, Ft. Worth, Texas, and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and a great-grand niece.
The family wishes to thank Sharon Morris, her caregiver and friend for almost 3 years and the team at Total Hospice and Palliative Care (THPC) for their service. Donations may be made in Martha's memory to First United Methodist Church 1928 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201.
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