Martha Kay Pichla

Martha Kay Pichla, a cherished member of the Saint Clair Shores community, passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on May 11th, 2023 due to complications from a stroke.

Born on February 13th, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Duane and Eileen Shidler, Martha was lovingly known as "Marty" by her friends and family. She will forever be remembered for her kind heart and love for teaching.

Marty was a proud graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's from Saginaw Valley State University. She went on to teach Masters level Education classes at SVSU and served as an elementary educator at Eisenhower in Fraser for many years. Throughout her career, she taught countless students from Kindergarten through 6th grade while becoming heavily involved in various activities such as Safety Patrol, Student Counsel, and Social Studies Olympiad. In her later years, she furthered her passion by teaching Social Studies and Reading at Richards Middle School. Marty’s dedication to educating children is nothing short of commendable.

Her commitment extended beyond the classroom too as she fought tirelessly for the rights of both students and teachers as union president. She made sure that everyone received what they were due while touching and inspiring hundreds of lives in the process.

Apart from education, Martha also had an unrivaled love for music which could be heard echoing throughout her home. For over two decades she sang with Metropolitan Detroit Chorale which included performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City and Gettysburg/Washington D.C.


Martha Kay Pichla is survived by her husband Henry Pichla; son Jeremy (Courtney) Pichla; granddaughters Olivia Graves-Pichla and Kirsten Brown; brother Tom (Sheila) Shidler; sister Ruth (Mike) Geml; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She will be joining her daughters Katie and Amy, brother Jim, and parents Duane and Eileen in safe hands eternal.

Martha's friends and family will remember her for the love that she gave and the lives that she touched. May she rest in peace, knowing that she made a difference in this world.