Obituary of Martha Contos

Martha Contos

January 26, 1927 – December 24, 2018

Santa Cruz, CA.

 

Private committal services are planned for Martha Contos who passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz this past December. She would have celebrated her 92nd birthday this month.   A native of San Francisco, she graduated from Polytechnic High School and later met and married another proud San Franciscan, John Contos, on June 15, 1947.  During WWII, Martha worked in the financial district and volunteered for the USO.  During her working years at Metropolitan Life, Martha was proud to be among a group of young women who had responsibility for one of the first computer systems operating in the Bay Area. Martha & John raised their four children and resided in San Francisco, Millbrae, San Carlos, Menlo Park, and retired to Scotts Valley in 1991.

 

An avid reader, she and her husband enjoyed Broadway musicals, plays, and the Great American Songbook.  Martha was a life-long learner and education advocate, always encouraging her children and grandchildren to pursue their dreams and to seek new and challenging endeavors through her tireless teaching.  As long as her health allowed, she was always in attendance at the many school activities, dance recitals, sports events, and concerts her children participated in. John Contos preceded her in death in 2013. Martha continued to live in Santa Cruz where she cherished the many dear friendships made in the area. She will be remembered as a loving mother, mentor, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved the ocean, her gardens and flowers, and wonderful times spent with her devoted family and caregivers.

 

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Maynard; her sons, Jeffrey, Robert, and Paul Contos; loving grandchildren Kirsten Maynard, Trista Maynard San Agustin and Naima Contos Lebeck, great-grandchildren Lauren San Agustin, Morgan San Agustin, Olina Lebeck, and sister Susan Pistiolas and nephew Jason Pistiolas.  She was also preceded in death by her grandson Nathan Contos.

 

Martha’s family would like to express sincere appreciation to Sarah Chen and all the staff of Maple House II for the care that was extended to Martha over the past 7 years as well as her husband of 66 years John Contos, who was also the benefactor of their loving care.

 

Any kind acts of charity can be made in her memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz County.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha Contos, please visit Tribute Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Martha
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel