To Celebrate 100th Birthday

Martha Donaldson with her 100 year celebration cake.

Martha Bell Smith Donaldson is being honored on December 21, 2025, for meeting a milestone in her life. Born 100 years ago in Cranberry Township, Venango County, she was the daughter of George Washington and Genevieve Bell Smith.

She was the youngest daughter of six children. She is the sister of, and was preceded in death by, Florence (Wayne) Weaver; Berdena (Carl) Krause; James (Betty, Madeline, and June) Smith; Hazel (Emerald) Books and Harold Smith.

Martha grew up in the small community of Tippery, graduating from Cranberry High School in 1943 and the Oil City Beauty School for Cosmetology.

She worked as a hairdresser until she married Robert William Donaldson. Martha and Robert lived on a potato farm in the Nickleville community until they were able to build their first home in Emlenton several years later.

The couple had five children, four sons and one daughter: Charles (Sandy and Gail) Donaldson of Florida; David Donaldson (deceased); Mary Jane (John) Pollock of North Carolina; Roger (Mary) Donaldson of Indiana; and Bruce Donaldson of Emlenton (moving to North Carolina).

They have two grandsons, Matthew (Janelle) Pollock of South Carolina, and Michael Donaldson of Kentucky and a two step-grandsons Matthew Texter and Matthew (Gabby) Kirker of Florida; four granddaughters, Lori (Bernie) Stouchko and Gwen (Denzil) Anderson of North Carolina, Shari Donaldson of Florida, Andrea (Jimmie) Backes of Kentucky and two step-granddaughters, Kim (Nick) Recktenwald of Kentucky and Amy (Hoang) Tran of Florida.

She also has four great-granddaughters and one step-great granddaughter; two great-grandsons; one step-great granddaughter and ten step-great grandsons; and one great-great grandson.

Martha took pride in her homemaking skills, freezing and canning home-grown produce and baking delicious pies and cakes.

She was very active with her children’s scouting and band functions. She and numerous band moms spent hours making homemade hard candy as fundraisers, so the band could have uniforms to march in for parades and to wear for concerts.

All of the band moms’ hard work paid off and the first band uniforms for Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School were purchased—white wool blazers and blue wool pants. The band members were so proud to show off their colors.

Martha was a member of the Eastern Star in Emlenton for many years, as well as over 30 years with the Lady Emlen Rebekah Lodge # 546.

She served as Noble Grand for the Rebekah Lodge in 1964 and 1965 and was a past Noble Grand until the lodge later united with another local lodge. She also had been very active with her church, having served as a Deacon, an Elder, and other offices.

Martha loved doing crossword puzzles, reading, and putting board puzzles together. She loved her daily walks whether they were outside or inside the halls of the Bridgeview Apartment building on Main Street in Emlenton until her health made it necessary for her to move into an Assisted Living Home. Martha lives in the State of Indiana and enjoys her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, new great-great-grandson, family and friends. Her family loves her very much and wishes her the most wonderful birthday greeting ever.