Obituary of Martha Heim Horton

Martha Heim Horton, a vital part of the Elmira community for almost 50 years, died on Monday, May 19, 2025, at her home, at the age of 90. Born in Oneonta, New York, and raised in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Gettysburg High School and Penn State University with a major in journalism. She then embarked on a career in technical editing, reporting, advertising and public relations that would take her to Maryland, Miami, Italy, Philadelphia, Boston and Marco Island, Florida, where she worked as the PR director at the Marco Beach Hotel.

Arriving in Elmira in 1976 and marrying local businessman Keith Horton, she soon found employment as the PR and Publications director at Elmira College. She later worked as a freelance feature writer for the Star-Gazette newspaper and Mountain View magazine, an agent for Ambrose Real Estate, as editor-in-chief of the Chemung Valley Reporter and in public relations at Corning Community College.

Known as an accomplished writer and award-winning poet, Martha published several books, including Faun, a novel derived from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Marble Faun, An Older Eye: Poems and Commentary and the Alex and Nan series, co-authored with Alan DeWolfe and featuring a crime-solving duo based in the Elmira-Corning area. She was also a founding member of ARTiculation, creator of “Poetry Posts,” a community project to make poetry accessible in Elmira parks and Woodlawn Cemetery.

During her years in Elmira, Martha was involved with several local organizations – as a member of Park Church, a trustee of Arnot Art Museum, a board member of Cantata Singers, vice-president of the Friends of Woodlawn and president of the area League of Women Voters, Torch Club and Wednesday Morning Club.

She is predeceased by her parents, Dr. Ralph D. and Leona Kuhlman Heim; her brother, Paul Kuhlman Heim; and former husbands, Keith W. Horton, Arrigo L. Raho and William D. Bucklew. She is survived by a daughter, Marianna Raho; a son, John (Joleen Jones) Raho; grandchildren Michael McDaniel and Tara (James) Andon; great-grandchildren Wyatt and Georgia Andon; as well as countless friends who will dearly miss her positive spirit, creative talent and zest for life.

Services will be held at The Park Church, 208 W Gray Street, Elmira on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Donations in Martha’s memory may be made to Arnot Art Museum, 235 Lake Street, Elmira NY 14901, ...Cantata Singers, P O Box 952, Elmira NY 14902... Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Elmira NY 14903...or The Park Church.