Martha Jayne Taber

Martha Jayne Taber, 98, passed away peacefully at the James G. Johnston Nursing Home in Johnson City on April 5, 2014. She was predeceased by her parents, Allen and Ermal Jayne; her two brothers, Robert and Carter Jayne; and her husband Robert Taber. She is survived by her two children, Anne Pittman, of Wallace, NC and Allen Taber and his wife Bonnie, of Endicott, NY; her four grandchildren, Matthew Taber of Cary, NC, Sarah Taber of Endicott, NY, Wendy Rudd and her husband John of Tokyo, Japan, and Julie Pittman of Providence, RI. Martha was born on December 12, 1915 in Laceyville, PA. She received a BS in botany from Pennsylvania State University. She married her husband Robert in 1952 and they lived together in Marlow Heights, MD where they raised their children. Upon retirement in 1977, they relocated to Brevard, NC. After Robert passed away, Martha moved to Johnson City, NY in 2009. Martha worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C during World War II, preparing blood plasma for shipment to soldiers overseas. At Walter Reed, she was also involved in the early development of the RhoGAM vaccine. She enjoyed her family, sewing, crafts, outdoor picnics and nature walks, and volunteering at the local library. She was an avid reader and loved watching the white squirrels in her yard in NC. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at James G. Johnston Nursing Home, who treated her with love and care. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Martha’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A short ceremony for family members and close friends will be held Sunday, April 6th at 10 am at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, with Pastor Lea Harding.