Obituary of Marta Cecilia Conway

Marta Cecilia Conway, 63, of Sylva, NC passed away on Monday August 17th, 2020 after a long illness.

Marta was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a faithful daughter and sister.  Her family was a constant source of pride, especially when it came to her nine grandchildren.  They adored their “Yaya”, and she returned their affection tenfold.   

Marta relished opening her home to guests, friends, and family.  Her gift for vigorous conversation and passion for cooking ensured that all in her care were entertained, well fed, and comfortably accommodated in her home.  Family and friends alike could count on her to provide a good story and a good laugh.

Marta enjoyed a variety of hobbies and seemed to be in constant motion, whether it was cooking a meal, sewing a quilt, painting a piece of ornamental ceramics, creating a new scrapbook, or weaving a basket.  Marta loved filling her home with homemade decorations, her husband’s woodworking, and pictures of her loved ones.

Marta was a member of St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church and, before her illness,  contributed her energies to supporting her parish, the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, and Angels Unaware (which provides blankets and christening gowns for stillborn children).

Marta is preceded in death by her parents William and Alicia Elias, and her grandchildren Simon, Jacob, Michael and Gabriel, Rafael, Agnes, and Veronica.

Marta is survived by Joseph Conway, her husband of 43 years; her son William Conway, his wife Jennifer and their children Lucy, Jack, and Katherine; and her daughter Joannie Newsome, her husband Matthew, and their children Abigail, Josiah, Malcolm, Alister, Madeline, and Jasper.  She is also survived by her siblings Ana Elias, Arturo Elias and his family, Sylvia Hernandez and her family, and Alicia Elias.

The family will hold a visitation at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC on Sunday, August 23rd from 6:00 till 8:00 pm.  A funeral Mass will be held for her immediate family 11:00 am Monday August 24th at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church. .

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marta’s name to the Society of St. Vincent dePaul.