Martha Starkey

Martha Starkey (Krisko), 68, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away on April 18th, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Marty was born on December 27th, 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio to Michael and Mary Krisko (Burke). She was the youngest of seven siblings.

After graduating high school, Marty attended the University of Toledo where she studied speech and hearing science. She earned her bachelor's degree (and later a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University), which set up an important career in speech therapy, but she also met her husband, Mark Starkey of Ashtabula, Ohio while studying at the University of Toledo.

Marty and Mark were married in 1980 and began their lives together in Columbus, Ohio. Marty began her career at Columbus Speech and Hearing, where she began working in early childhood speech therapy. While there, she impacted the lives of many families that she worked with, and she formed bonds and friendships with colleagues who continued to be lifelong friends up until her death.

According to her, the most important title that Marty held in her life was that of mother. She wanted so desperately to be a mother that when she was told by medical professionals that she would not be able to conceive a child of her own, she and Mark decided to adopt a child, their daughter Caitlin, who was born in August of 1986. Shortly after, Marty became pregnant and she and Mark welcomed their son, Aaron, into the world in July of 1987. Marty was the most caring and dutiful mother to her children. Both of her children agree that she “never stopped being [their] mom.” Even in their own adulthood, she continued to comfort, guide, support, and love them.

In 1992 another life-changing event occurred in Marty’s life: she began work at the Childhood League Center. This is where Marty found her professional calling. Marty worked at the Childhood League Center for 32 years–the rest of her professional career. While working at “the center,” she formed some of the closest friendships of her life, she again positively impacted countless families, and she changed policy for the educational benefit of countless young children.

The essence of Marty was in her desire and ability to bring others together. She created innumerable lasting memories for her family by planning yearly vacations, hosting family gatherings, and creating traditions that her family will carry on in her memory.

She loved her grandchildren and spent as much time with them as she could. She was always on the floor participating in play, joking and being silly with them, and instilling important values and morals within them as they encountered “big questions” in her presence. She was, more than anything, a safe space for them all.

Marty was known for her thoughtfulness, patience, and humor. Those who knew her know that she was always thinking of others and putting their needs before her own. This selflessness is what caused so many to connect with her and feel special in her presence. She always found significance and joy in the “small things.”

Her mark on this world is less of a “mark” and more of a crater. She will not simply be remembered by those who knew her, but her absence will be felt by all those who came in contact with her.

Marty is survived by her husband, Mark; her daughter, Caitlin (Rickie); her son, Aaron (Krista); her four grandchildren, Jesse, Chloe, Everett, and Ellison; her sisters, Marilyn (Lou) and Joan; her brothers, Jerry (Noo) and Jim (Carol). She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Mary; her sister, Renee; her brother, Mike.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Marty on May 3rd, 2025 at Moreland Funeral Home located at 55 E. Schrock Rd, Westerville OH, 43081.

Visiting hours will be from 1:00-3:00pm. At 3:00pm we will hold a celebration of life with an open sharing of stories. If you care to share a story about Marty, please plan to stay and share your story with the family and attendees.

If you wish, you can make a donation to The Childhood League Center on behalf of Marty and her family by clicking this link at https://childhoodleague.org/