Martha Edmunds Talman Thorn was born on Sept. 2, 1937, in Richmond, Va., to Hunter Summerfield Talman and Mildred Pullen Talman. Martha was the middle sister of three. Nancy Talman Potts and Margaret “Peggy” Talman Fiorillo were her older and younger sisters. After Martha was born, her family moved to Hinton where they lived until she graduated high school from Hinton High School.
Martha was inducted into the Hinton High School Hall of Fame, where she played basketball and was a cheerleader.
She graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) with a Bachelor of Science in education. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. After graduation, Martha began her teaching career in Delaware. She worked at YMCA Camp Horseshoe in Tucker County as a camp counselor for several summers.
Martha met Gordon Rudolph Thorn while working at Camp Horseshoe and they later married on June 25, 1960. After getting married, they moved to Morgantown, where they spent the rest of her life. Together, Martha and Gordon had three children, Sarah Thorn Staley, John Hunter Thorn and Susan Thorn Peradotti. Martha is survived by her husband of
60 years; her daughter, Sarah and spouse Dale “Devy” Staley; John and spouse Sarah Tuttle Thorn; daughter, Susan; and her five grandchildren, whom she adored dearly: Meghan Staley Canfield (27), Makayla Staley (18), Lelia Peradotti (16), Paul Peradotti (14) and Paige Thorn (9).
Martha spent her career at West Virginia University, where she earned her master’s degree. She worked in the School of Physical Education, teaching archery, bowling, tennis and other physical education classes. While at WVU, she became the first WVU Women’s Tennis Coach and coached at the college level for 27 years before retiring in 2001.
When she wasn’t on the court or on the road with her tennis team, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Some of her hobbies included playing bridge, reading, sewing, baking and volunteering for horseback riding for the handicapped of Monongalia County. Her favorite times of the year were Christmas and Easter. She enjoyed going to flea markets and auctions with Gordon and collecting antiques. Martha loved the Mountaineers and enjoyed attending football, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics events at WVU when she could. As her grandchildren were growing up, she made time to visit with them in Morgantown, North Carolina and Illinois.
Martha was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where she taught Bible school when her children were younger.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Amedysis Hospice and all the wonderful caregivers that cared for Martha during her illness.
A memorial service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, Morgantown, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the following in memory of Martha T Thorn: WVU Women’s Tennis Team, WVU Women’s Athletics, Hospice, Wesley United Methodist Church.
