Marti (Martha) Lee Bradley-Kufchak December 4, 1938 - March 3, 2016

Marti (Martha) Lee Bradley-Kufchak died March 3, 2016 with courage, grace, and good humor, of pulmonary fibrosis caused by Sjogren's Disease, at her home in Black Butte Ranch.

Marti was born December 4, 1938, in San Diego, California, to Art and Catharine Straw Bradley. Growing up in Huntington Park, she developed early study habits that helped put her on the career path she chose. Graduating from Huntington Park High School in 1956, where she was president of the Girls' League, homecoming queen, and a member of many service clubs. Her undergraduate work was completed at California State University at Long Beach, in education. She taught elementary school in that area for several years before moving to Oregon. There she earned an MS in counseling in 1975 at the University of Oregon.

Her career as a counselor was with the Corvallis Schools for five years, and with the Hillsboro School District for 20 years. In 1986, Marti traveled to Los Angeles to attend her 30th high school reunion, and reconnected with fellow high school classmate Lee Kufchak. They married a year later. Lee and Marti lived in Beaverton, where Marti continued her counseling work in Hillsboro. Marti pursued additional counseling knowledge through an international coursework program offered through the Family Studies Institute headquartered in Portland.

Upon retirement in 2000, they built a home designed by Lee at Black Butte Ranch, and continued their 28-year extraordinary marriage. During these years, Marti learned to quilt, quickly becoming a master quilter, producing over 70 quilts in her last years. She and Lee traveled extensively in the U.S., Europe, and China, enjoying each other's company while learning about other cultures. While at Black Butte Ranch, and true to her personality, Marti was involved in the Black Butte Ranch Art Guild, the Book Club, the Investment Club, the Sew and Tell Quilters of Black Butte Ranch, and was selected as Black Butte Ranch Volunteer of the Year.

In preparation for her expected death, Marti invited friends to share their experiences with her, some of which describe her as: an indomitable spirit, very generous with her time and ideas, a quilter extraordinaire, loving and giving, smiling despite pain and adversity. She laughed, she cried, she cared, she helped, she read books, she shared, she was both talented and intelligent, a questioner, yet dedicated, compassionate, and enthusiastic. In these ways and many others, she experienced a celebration of her life with her husband and friends.

Marti is survived by her husband, Lee; daughter, Jocelyn Lee Hess Menguita (Jonas); and three grandchildren, Kaiona, Naya, and Micah. Her son, Jorren Hess, preceded her in death.

Her life was a model for us, as she showed us how to live while dying. Marti often spoke up to friends and acquaintances that we need to live the life we have, while we have it, enjoy each other, get involved, travel, and accept each others' differences. She leaves us with the love she gave, and was comforted by the love she received. She lives on in our hearts. All is well.

In lieu of flowers, Marti would ask you to donate to Partners In Care of Bend.

A celebration of Marti's life will be held at Sisters Community Church on April 20, 2016.