Martha ""Nana"" Suminas

Martha, age 93, passed away July 15, 2016. She was born in January 31, 1923 in Colorado to George Yoshida and Catherine Gertrude Sullivan. In her youth, she moved to Lowell, Massachusetts. Martha earned her B.S. from State College of Lowell, Massachusetts and Master of Education (M.E.) from Boston University in Massachusetts. She eventually moved back to Denver after finishing her advanced education and a five-year teaching stint in Massachusetts. She also earned her PhD from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked for Jefferson County Schools for more than 30 years, first as a teacher, then as a Dean of Students and finally, as a Junior High School Counselor. Martha married Petras (Peter) Suminas in 1967 and resided northwest Denver, living in the same house for the remainder of her life. She was active in the Denver Art community for many years with her husband, Peter (a Colorado artist), and traveled extensively after retiring and too after the death of her husband. Her adventures included trips to Africa, the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe, the Far East and Mexico. She also loved to write, paint and host parties for her friends. Martha will be missed by so many...for so many reasons! She is preceded in death by her husband, Petras ""Peter"" Suminas; parents, George and Catherine ""Gurtie"" (Sullivan) Yoshida; sister Mary Zahar; and nieces, Charlene Gonzales and Peggy Morikawa. Martha is survived by her surrogate son, Michael (Carla Sabini) Mathews; surrogate granddaughter Analicia Mathews; nephews, Chuck Jenkins and Jim Jenkins; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Services honoring Martha will be Friday, July 22, 2016, beginning at 2:30 PM, at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, in Arvada, Colorado 80003. A reception for fellowship and sharing of memories immediately follows at Horan & McConaty until 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made in Martha's name to the charity of your choice. Please share your memories of Martha and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.