Martha Deloris Finger

May 7, 1927 - Dec. 12, 2020

SOUTH BEND, IN - Born Martha Deloris Moore on May 7, 1927, on May 22, 1948, she married Tuggy Finger and they honeymooned overnight in Chicago before starting their life as a married couple.

Martha went by several names including Deloris and her “artist” name, Marti. But our favorites for her were Aunt Deloris, Grandma, and Mom. She was born in Mt. Vernon, IL to Aston Lee and Jennie Louella (Dare) Moore, then moved close to Chicago for her dad's work, ending up in South Bend. At Central High School she was elected the Football Queen and was truly honored to represent the common class, not the “elite”. She was an actress and honed her talents onstage at the movie theater downtown on Saturdays with her girlfriends. She also appeared in the school play, Rumplestiltskin. Her shining moment came when an actor forgot his lines and she had to ad-lib (short career). Sports were not her forte. We bowled in a league together and, like mother like daughter, we were pretty bad. She had a beautiful voice and you never knew when she was going to bust out a tune. In fact, we participated in karaoke and did a pretty fair Patsy Cline!

She was an excellent seamstress, from slipcovers to bathing suits she made for the family camping trip. We looked like something from The Sound of Music on the shores of Lake Michigan, with our matching suits of little blue fish. I'm sure Dad was thrilled, but smart enough to wear it. After all, she did it for her family.

Mom wasn't afraid to try new things. In 1995, Mom and Dad just decided to pick up and move to Florida. It wasn't what they expected. They hated the heat, snakes, alligators, bugs, and spiders. Truth is, she missed her friends of which she had many.

She was a wonderful baker and there was always something sweet when we came home from school. She would let us participate by making pie crust dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

With college looming ahead for Gary and Gwen, she went to work as a secretary for the Department of Defense. She interviewed for the job lugging her typewriter down the street in her high heels, of course.

I've saved the best for last. After retirement, “Marti” Finger discovered her inner artist. She took a few classes and became prolific in watercolors and pastels. Her pastel portraits were amazing. What a hidden talent she had!

Mom and Dad loved to bargain at garage sales and thrift shops. They found bargains that Dad refinished or Mom painted. She called it “retail therapy” and purses were her thing. She had quite a collection, mostly from Goodwill.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tuggy Finger; brothers, A. Lee (JoAnne) Moore and Charles (Diane) Moore; and a son-in-law, Barney Oldfield.

Martha is survived by her daughter, Gwen Finger Oldfield of South Bend, IN; her son, Gary (Malia) Finger of Ponte Vedra, FL; granddaughter, Jennifer Allen & grandson, Zane Finger, both of Florida; four great-grandchildren, Ashton and Emma Finger; Hailey and Whitney Allen; and a sister, Betty Raven of Tarzana, CA. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive along with Ginger, her granddog who loved her grandma!!

Mom and Dad enjoyed life. Not a day went by that they didn't have a rousing card game of euchre or hearts. In remembrance of Mom, have some retail therapy at Goodwill, buy a purse...she would like that. Or, make a donation to one of your favorite charities. Mom, singer, cook, baker, nurse, Sunday School Teacher, wife, grandma, we love you and until we meet again, let Dad win at cards once in a while. Heaven awaits you with open arms (six feet apart) and “Let There Be Peace On Earth” playing in the background.

Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. No Service will take place.

Due to the current Pandemic, private burial will take place at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN.

Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN is handling arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Dec. 16, 2020.

8/24/2021 EJS