Date of Birth February 23, 1929
Date Deceased April 14, 2022
Hometown Hornell
Home State N.Y.
Service Date April 30, 2022
Service Time 10:30 a.m.
Service Location Christ Episcopal Church, Hornell
Interment Location Hope Cemetery, Hornell

Martha Ann Shults Davidson (Marty)

A HORNELL LOVE STORY

Martha Ann Shults Davidson (Marty) passed away peacefully on Thursday April 14, 2022. Marty was a

lifelong resident of Hornell being born at Bethesda Hospital on February 23, 1929 to her parents C. Everett Shults and Martha H. Shults.

At Hornell High School, Marty met the love of her life, Adam T. Davidson, who predeceased her. Their romance endured time away at college with Marty attending Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and Adam at Hobart College in Geneva, NY.

After graduation from Northwestern, Marty married Adam on February 23, 1952 and the couple moved to Camp LeJeune, NC where Adam was stationed as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Following Adam’s discharge from the Marines, Marty and Adam returned to Hornell and started their family.

Marty is survived by her four children, Mark (Karen) of Denver, CO, Mike (Sharon) of Hornell, Barbara (Tim) of Kinnelon, NJ and Linda (Don) of Greenwich, NY. Marty is also survived by her brother, Eric Shults (Beth), of North Hornell. Marty’s sister, Linda, predeceased her in 2019. Marty’s ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren, several nieces and a nephew all loved her dearly.

Marty worked alongside Adam at Davidson’s Furniture helping to build up and maintain the furniture store, now in its 146th year of operation under Mike’s leadership. During that time, the family spent summers at their Loon Lake cottage, a location still serving as a family gathering place.

After Adam passed, Marty stayed active accepting any invitation with an enthusiastic, “That sounds like fun!” Marty was also somewhat of a local celebrity participating in a weekly local radio spot on WLEA promoting the goods and services of Davidson’s Furniture and also working as the “gatekeeper” for the local Curves franchise for a number of years.

Marty’s commitment to the Hornell community was evidenced not only by her work at the furniture store, but also by her staunch support for the Hornell YMCA. Marty’s contributions to the YMCA were recognized by the Y naming her “Woman of the Year”.

Marty also had a strong dedication to learning. She was an American Field Service (AFS) Host to two Hornell High AFS students and sent her daughter Linda to Finland for a summer through the AFS summer students abroad program. Marty was also honored for her service to AFS by the local chapter.

A lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills, Marty and Adam maintained season tickets to the Bills’ home games for 30 years, until Adam’s passing. Marty adored the Bills’ Steve Tasker!

Finally, the family wishes to thank Marty’s wonderful care giving team led by Stacy Cregan these past four years. This time in Marty’s life was enriched by their care and attention. The ability to stay in her home during this time was a true blessing enabled by these extraordinary women.

There will be a memorial service in Marty’s honor on Saturday April 30, 2022 at 10:30 am at Christ Episcopal Church, Center Street, Hornell. The service will be followed by interment at Hope Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main Street, Hornell, NY on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Marty’s honor be made to the Hornell YMCA, 18 Center Street, Hornell, NY 14843 or the Hornell High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Marty’s family with the arrangements.

To leave your own personal remembrance or condolence you may click on the link below or visit the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

Subscribe to receive updates

2 Responses

  1. Reading Marty’s obituary brought to my mind the time in the 1960’s when I played at the piano bar at the Sherwood Hotel. Marty and Adam would often join in the the group round the piano. I remember Adam’s favorite song, Waltzing Matilda, which would bring a big smile to them as I played it when I saw them arrive. He would always with gusto join in the singing! What a great couple they were. They gave so much to our community. God Bless them.

Personal Online Remembrances

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.