Martha Nordin

Martha Nordin, 75, passed peacefully at home on August 19 in hospice care accompanied by the presence and love of her husband and her son. A 30 year resident of Sierra Vista, Martha was raised in a St. Louis suburb blessed with a wonderful family, community, and educational foundation.

Martha was a vibrant multi-talented lady: beloved mother, wife, artist, teacher, counselor, psychotherapist and friend to many in Southeastern Arizona. Martha began her behavioral health career in 1983 as a substance abuse counselor at Cottonwood de Tucson and soon became director of its co-dependency unit. In 1989 she moved to Sierra Vista to gain experience in psychiatric treatment at an in-patient facility and entered private practice in 1991.

Her career spanned working with children, adolescents, adults, addicts, families, couples and groups. Martha performed contract work on Ft. Huachuca training supervisors as well as parenting skills to a diverse military population. Additionally, Martha was a faculty member at Western International University in Behavioral Sciences and was voted Faculty Member of the Year in her second year of teaching there.

Martha’s great passion in life was dedicated to bettering the lives of her clients and other community members, watching them transcend their challenges and helping to restore and elevate their spirits. She always concerned herself with the welfare of others ahead of her own. Martha had a special love for dogs and was unconditionally loved by them. In her final year Martha created beautiful chalk portraits of dogs which she mounted on tiles. She enjoyed expressing her artistic and creative ability through whimsically painted furniture and objects she called “SmileArt”.

In lieu of flowers Martha requested contributions to any local organization advocating the care of animals. Martha is survived by her best friend and husband, Ted Nordin, her beloved son Gene Weber and wife Kim, Welsh Terrier Jackpot and countless friends.

She will join in heaven her son Ben Weber, her sister Judie Henley, first love Steven Drake and their infant son, and her parents Mary and Paul Kopp.

Friends are welcome to attend a Memorial Service and Life Celebration at St. Andrews Church, 800 Taylor NW, Sierra Vista on Saturday September 1st at 10:30 am with a reception following in Madonna Hall.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha Nordin, please visit our floral store.