Martha Lucille Sehi

Martha Beck Sehi passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 25, 2014. Born June 2, 1927 to the late William J. (Bill) and Alice Beck of Hillsdale, Michigan. Martha began her love of nature in her very early years. She studied several sciences at Hillsdale College and earned her degree in Micro Biology in 1950. During her college years, she met Earl Sehi of Detroit. They married on June 3, 1950 and remained married for 60 years until Earl’s passing in July of 2010.

Earl and Martha began their family in Hillsdale, Michigan with the birth or their daughter, Elaine Sehi Lilly of Babson Park and later their son Chuck Sehi of Lake Wales. In 1967 the family moved to their longtime home in Highland Park. They remained in Highland Park until Earl’s passing in 2010.

Martha was very active in the community. As a life science teacher for many years she sparked the interest of thousands of eager young folks. She truly loved her students and the interest they demonstrated in learning about life sciences. She was a Ridge Audubon Board Member and spent many years working on the annual Audubon Bird Count. She was also a board member of the Green Horizon Land Trust, and a member of the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, AAUW and always an advocate for environmental issues.

Martha’s passion for the preservation of wildlife and the environment were her “second career”, after retiring as a full time teacher in 1987. She worked tirelessly for many years on a wide variety of issues to preserve and protect the environment she loved so dearly. She remained involved with local science teachers to assist them in any way she could to help nurture another generation of environmentally award folks.

Since 2010, Martha was a resident of Water’s Edge in Lake Wales, and quickly gained many new friends as well as furthering many old friendships. All who knew her will miss her warm, friendly smile and her kind and gentle nature. We are sure Martha will rest in peace.

Martha leaves behind brother William B. (Bill) Beck (San Luis Obispo, CA), daughter Elaine Lilly, son Chuck Sehi, grandchildren Melany Clayton (Maricopa, AZ) and Ben Sehi (Tallahassee), two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, March 30, 2014 from 2:00 until 4:00 PM at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to Ridge Audubon Society 200 North Crooked Lake Drive, Babson Park, FL 33827 or Green Horizon Land Trust 225 E. Stuart Ave., Lake Wales, Florida 33853.