Martha Blackler

Martha "Tica" Chavarria Blackler of Fort Collins died March 22, 2008, at her residence. She was born Sept. 9, 1930, in Cartago, Costa Rica, to Ricardo Flores Chavarria and Corena Roseman Chavarria. Tica graduated from Northfield School for Girls, Northfield, Mass., and Fischer College, Boston, Mass. In 1951, she married Edmund "Ted" Blackler of Marblehead, Mass., who preceded her in death. She is survived by their four children, Martha Wertz of Santa Maria, Calif., married to Dr. David Wertz Christina Rose of Corte Madera, Calif., Dr. Edmund "Chuck" Blackler of Rapid City, S.D., married to Karla Brost, RN and Martica Blackler of Fort Collins; their 23 grandchildren, their six great-grandchildren; her brother, Charles N. Chavarria of Houston, Texas; and her sister, Ophelia Newman of Atlanta, Ga. In 1982, Tica moved to Fort Collins from Washington, D.C., where she was employed as a travel consultant. The family lived in Germany, Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil, where her husband, Ted, was employed by the U.S. government. Among her activities in Fort Collins were the Friendship Force, Faith Evangelical Free Church, International Students Inc., CSU Foreign Students and "The Hardy Hikers." A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 3920 S. Shields St., where she was a member. Her remains will be buried in Red Lion, Pa., with her husband, mother and father. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Open Door Mission, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .