Martha Mae Wachta, born February 1, 1927, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, peacefully passed away at the age of 96 at White Oak Manor in Lancaster, South Carolina. Martha, known by close friends and family as "Mae", lived a life filled with love, happiness, and good times from her family, friends, and church members.

Mae was born to George "John" Dunn and Margaret Nicholson and was raised most of her life by her aunt Janet Nicholson. After completing prep school, she worked at the Bank of Montreal in her hometown before moving to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada branch. In the 1950s, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Walter Wachta. After marriage, they settled near Palmer, Massachusetts, where they welcomed their son Christopher Wachta and daughter Catherine Wachta. A few years later, they moved to the Lancaster, South Carolina area in the early 1960s.

Mae had two brothers, John and Edward, both deceased, and two sisters, Mary and Jean, who also passed away. She retired at the age of 70 from Pelican Prints, the family business that she co-owned with her husband, where she served as both Vice President and General Manager.

Mae was devoted to the Roman Catholic faith. She regularly taught Sunday school, helped clean the church, helped with communion, and served on the ladies' guild. In her free time, she enjoyed playing the piano, which she taught herself, and was known as a crossword puzzle wiz and an amazing cook, thanks to her interest in the culinary arts. Her quick-witted sense of humor, hard work, and devotion to the church and community made her beloved by all who knew her.

Mae is survived by her husband Walter Wachta, son Christopher Wachta and wife Pamela Wachta, daughter Catherine Wachta, who is widowed, along with grandson Shane Sanders and granddaughter Alicia Sanders, as well as a great-granddaughter Tamryn Sanders and a great-grandson Liam Page.

A private memorial Mass will be announced by the family and church at a later date. The family and their home would respectfully request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Lancaster Christian Services or a charity of your choice.

"She's in the sun, the wind, the rain" poem by Christy Ann Martine is a beautiful reminder of Martha's presence in our lives:

She's in the sun, the wind, the rain,

She's in the air you breathe with every breath you take.

She sings a song of hope and cheer,

There's no more pain, no more fear.

You'll see her in the clouds above,

Hear her whisper words of love.

You'll be together before long,

Until then, listen for her song.