Martha Ann Healy

Martha Ann Dumke Healy

Martha Ann Dumke Healy, born to Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke on November 4, 1919, in Ogden, Utah, died February 28, 2012, in Salt Lake City. She was a devoted wife, mother, philanthropist, conservationist and supporter of the arts.

Known as "Markey", a combination of Martha and Dumke, she enjoyed a lively childhood in Ogden and Hebgen Lake, Montana. Markey attended Marlborough School for Girls in Los Angeles, California and graduated from Pomona College in 1941. She was especially proud of her work with amputees at Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City, Utah during World War II.

Markey moved to Washington, D.C., in 1957 with her husband, Patrick Healy III, Executive Director of the National League of Cities. Ever supportive of Pat''s work, she was a gracious hostess to visiting dignitaries in the homes she lovingly and beautifully decorated. She and Pat traveled widely for NLC, the International Union of Local Authorities, and other delegations, including the Special Commission that resulted in the National Historic Preservation Act. They also enjoyed their retreats, first in Sun Valley, Idaho and then on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Markey loved her piano, books, gardening, the Chevy Chase Club, and most of all, her family and friends.

Much of Markey''s life was defined by her philanthropy. She was on the board of the Dr. E.R. and E.W. Dumke Foundation and founder of the M.A. Healy Family Foundation. She served on the boards of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., which later awarded her an honorary degree, and Arts for the Aging in Bethesda, Maryland. She continued her involvement with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was a regent of Kenmore, the Fredericksburg home of George Washington''s sister. In an effort to protect the environment along Maryland''s Eastern Shore, Markey donated her farm to the Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage organization. When her children moved to New Mexico, Markey found a spot in Santa Fe and quietly extended her philanthropy to the "Land of Enchantment."

Markey moved to the Parklane apartments in Salt Lake City in 2005. She was a major donor to the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions at Weber State University , which also awarded her an honorary degree. She was a significant supporter of the University of Utah''s John A. Moran Eye Center, led by director Randall Olson, and was proud of the role she played in its research development. She also supported The Nature Conservancy and Red Butte Gardens.

Markey was a very special lady. She leaves behind a legion of admiring friends and family members, who will sorely miss her energy, her devotion to a wide variety of interests, her love of nature, the arts and her compassion. Markey is survived by her son, Ed Healy (Trudy) and step-children, Lee and Felice; her daughter, Nan Schwanfelder; grandchildren, Laura (Keith), Andrus (Laura), Kevin and Craig; a stepson, Pat Healy (Paige) and sons, Pat and Mike; great-grandchildren, Jackie, Mitchell, Lily, Jack and Barrett; and brothers, Zeke (Kay) Dumke and Ed (Carol) Dumke. Markey was preceded by her parents, Zeke and Edna Dumke; her husband, Pat Healy; her beloved aunt, Ruth Mitchell; and son-in-law, Bob Schwanfelder.

In accordance with Markey''s wishes, cremation has taken place, and no services were held. A graveside celebration will be held at the Ogden Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132. Cremation entrusted to Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.