Martha Jane Komora
Jun. 23, 1926 - May 19, 2006


Martha Jane Komora, born on June 23, 1926, in Montreal, Canada, to the late John and Gladys (Hunt) Nicholson, they came to South Bend shortly after her birth.

She graduated in 1944 in the first graduating class from Adams High School, and attended Purdue University. She married Paul F. Komora in the Lady Chapel of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame Campus on August 2, 1952.

Surviving are her daughters, Mary (Gil) Coty of Niles, MI, and Kathie Covard of South Bend; her son, John P. (Wilda) Komora of Helena, MT; along with her grandchildren; John Gesellschap and Phillip Covard, both of South Bend and Sean Komora of Helena, MT; a great-grandson, Aidan Gesellschap of South Bend; and a niece, Kathleen (Tom) Luther of Victor, New York. Martha was preceded in death by her brother, William Nicholson.

Mrs. Kamora lived most of her life in South Bend after her mother and father came to coach track at Notre Dame. John Nicholson was a world record holder in the high hurdles, participant in the Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, and inventor of the "Nicholson Starter" starting block that is used in track. Notre Dame became Martha's passion, and she always spoke of her years as a coach's daughter.

After meeting and marrying her husband Paul at Notre Dame they raised their children in South Bend. She was a devoted swim parent at the South Bend Elks and Michiana Maidens, traveling endlessly for years to swim meets, creating wonderful memories and experiences for her three children. She worked as a secretary at Notre Dame for twenty years, volunteered for the Christ Child Society, but most of all, raised her children in a loving home and gave them everything she had to give.

Friends may call on Monday, May 22, 2006, from 5 - 8 p.m. in the McGann Hay, University Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road at Ironwood. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Morningside Nursing and Memory Care Center, 18325 Bailey Avenue, South Bend, 46637, where she spent the last few weeks of her life. A special thanks to director, Cathy Janeczko, all the staff, and especially Melissa Boughman, LPN, for her extraordinary compassionate care.

Published in the South Bend Tribune on May 21, 2006.

08/06/2023 DEC