Martha J. Pille

Martha J. (Havlick) Pille, 86, of Oro Valley, AZ died peacefully at her home on April 14,2023. She was born on July 14, 1936 in Willoughby, OH to Howard T. and Margaret A.(Talbot) Havlick. She married Robert H. Pille on September 4, 1989 in Badbergen,Gemany. He died on July 17, 2006.

Surviving are one nephew, Roger (Mary) Pille of Jamestown, KY, three nieces, Martha(Pat) Davis of Summerfield, FL, Linda (Bill Kirkman) Pille of Warrenville, IL, and Carol(Brad) Fink of Dwight, IL, 10 great nieces and nephews, one great-great nephew, andmany dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brother-in-law Arthur G. Pille and sister-in-law Marilyn S. Pille.

Martha was born, and spent most of her life in the Great Lakes area, and enjoyed all itspleasures including fishing, sailing, and birding. She earned degrees in biology andchemistry from Bowling Green State University in OH in 1958. She worked her entirecareer for Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical. Her first work involved developing a poliovaccine, then the yearly influenza vaccines. Later her focus was on potential oncologydrugs. She retired in 1991.

Martha and Bob met in 1966 through a sailing club in Michigan. Although Bob soonmoved to Chicago as a Chicago Sun Times sports writer, a lifetime love affair was born,and a long-distance Chicago/Detroit relationship flourished for three decades. Bobretired and moved to Michigan in 1988. Martha and Bob married in 1989 at St. GeorgsKirch, the church of Bob's ancestors in Badbergen Germany. They shared a love oftravel, history, sailing and their Welsh Terriers.

After retirement, Martha and Bob relocated to Tucson, AZ. Martha embraced her newDesert Southwest environment and lifestyle. In particular, she loved desert gardening.She became a volunteer docent at Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens and Galleries,developing expertise in xeriscape landscaping and desert birding. She created her ownbackyard paradise for native plants and birds. Martha was also a gifted artist, workingmainly in colored pencil and watercolors. Her favorite subjects were birds, her dogsTaffy, Josie, and Hank, and the Great Lakes.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial donations may be made to the TucsonAudubon Society or the Tucson Community Food Bank.

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