Martha Elizabeth Kohler

Martha Elizabeth Carnes Kohler, affectionately known as "Marty," passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, February 2nd, 2025 at the age of 84. Martha lived in the greater San Diego area her entire life and loved this beautiful place.  She was the daughter of Duane and Annabeth Carnes and was raised in a loving home near the beach with her younger brother, Tom.

Marty was known for her kind heart, easy manner, and her love for her family.  She loved to write letters and treasured any correspondence she received, especially drawn pictures from her great-grandchildren.  Marty loved the beaches of San Diego and La Jolla and loved putting her toes in the ocean.  She was a true patron of the arts and was a long-time member and board member of the Globe Guilders, an affiliate of San Diego's Old Globe Theater.  We loved attending shows with her there and she proudly sponsored a Masters student each semester for many years.  

Family was the cornerstone of Martha's life.  She married Burdett "Bim" Plumb in 1962.  After a divorce, she married Richard Kohler and they bought their lovely home in San Carlos where they lived for 33 years.  Marty was a devoted mother to her three sons, Terry Plumb (Jill Ann), George Plumb (Jill Marie) and Trip (Miriam), who loved her dearly.  She is survived by her brother, Tom (Marilyn), her three sons, her nine grandchildren:  Jack, Jessie, Maxwell, Samuel and Annie Plumb, Bennett, Gibson and Aidan Plumb, and Waters Sliter, and her four great-grandchildren:  Natalie, Stockton, Jack and Claire Poulsen.

Martha was a career woman.  After graduating from San Diego State in 1972 with an accounting degree, she took a job with the County of San Diego.  She broke a glass ceiling there, becoming the first female Auditor/Appraiser in the history of the department, one woman among 200 men. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and her school nickname was "Smarty Marty."

Marty loved cats and raised several over the years, treating them like the family they were.  She was a member of the Unitarian Church and loved going to services at their beautiful downtown chapel/campus.  She adored outings to Balboa Park and countless special occasions were celebrated at her beloved Prado restaurant there.  She loved a good meal at Patti's Cafe in La Mesa and would light up when anyone would bring her a burger from In-n-Out.  

Martha's remarkable legacy will live on through her posterity.  She had a gift for making those around her feel special and loved, and always made sure to get lots of big hugs on every visit.  We loved her very much and feel so lucky to have had her as our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you support the arts and go see a show!