Martha (Martie) Louise Criste, 88, of Leesburg, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 21, 2016 after a short, but fierce battle with cancer.

Born Martha Louise Croyle on September 28, 1927 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania to Joseph William Croyle and Martha Gertrude Porta, she was the eldest of three children. Martie attended grade school at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Hollidaysburg and graduated from Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in 1947.

Martie married Harold Joseph Criste on November 26, 1949 and together they raised three daughters. A full-time wife and mother, Martie treasured family and instilled in her children the importance of faith, family, generosity, kindness and forgiveness. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, scrapbooking and genealogy. An avid Washington area sports fan, she could often be found cheering for her beloved Washington Redskins or Nationals. More than anything else, Martie enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends usually around a game of cards.

After twenty-nine years of marriage, Harold passed away following an extended illness. At a time when hospice was not available in rural Loudoun County, she brought Harold home to care for him herself and discovered that she had a passion for nursing.
Following his death, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and worked many years in the Long Term Care Unit at Loudoun Memorial Hospital in Leesburg where she tended her patients with an exceptional measure of mercy and compassion. In addition to her husband, Martie was predeceased by her daughter Sandra Jean Keck of Culpeper, Virginia, and her brother, Joseph William Croyle, Jr. of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her sister, Doris Jean Kuhn of Hanover, Pennsylvania, her daughters Cynthia Criste Scott of Ashburn, Virginia and Kelly Jean Goshorn and husband Michael of Purcellville, Virginia as well as eight grandchildren: Erin Scott Colantuoni and husband Brian, Michelle Scott Keys and husband Drew, Jessica Keck Gordon and husband Andrew, Jenna Keck Meredith, James Scott Keck and fiancé Miranda Dodson, Madeline Nicole Goshorn, Michael Anthony Goshorn, II and Noah Evan Goshorn as well as four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will be received at Colonial Funeral Home, Leesburg on Tuesday, May 24 from 6-8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Leesburg, with Father Peffley officiating. Interment in Culpeper National Cemetery with the Reverend Norma Jean Fellowes of Culpeper United Methodist Church presiding.

Although her presence in our daily lives will be greatly missed, we know she is rejoicing in heaven in the company of her Savior. We are grateful for the legacy of faith and family she is leaving behind.