Martha Droste Gillum, age 91, died peacefully at the Caton Merchant House, Friday, September 30, 2016.

She was born on August 4, 1925 in Ronceverte, West Virginia. She was one of five children to Fred and Pearl Droste, also of Manassas. Mardi graduated from Longwood College and met her husband, Marvin, and moved to Manassas in 1947 where she and Marvin raised three daughters, Cindy, Debby, and Melanie who have given her six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Marvin and Mardi were blessed with 62 wonderful years of marriage. Her beloved husband died in January, 2010. Apart from her devotion to her husband and family, Mardi’s personal interests included golf, gardening, jazzercise, walking, flower arranging and painting. She was a Sunday school teacher, a Girl Scout leader, a member of Manassas Garden Club, Manassas Junior Women’s Club, Manassas Women’s Club, Women’s Auxiliary at Prince William Hospital, and an active, faithful member of Manassas Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Marvin; her daughter Cindy Gillum Coiner formerly of Midlothian, VA; and a sister, Mildred Droste.

Survivors include her two daughters, Debby Gillum Milligan and her husband Dick; and Melanie Gillum Przybocki and her husband Dave, both of Manassas. Grandchildren include Caroline Milligan Saari of Winchester; Meredith Milligan Brewbaker of Manassas; Cory Clayton of Charlottesville; Cara Clayton of Sarasota, FL; Rob Dufour of Charlottesville; and Mollie Przybocki of Manassas; and one sister, Sally Droste Brown of West Virginia.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road. A Celebration of Mardi’s life will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with The Rev. David Donahue and The Rev. Dr. William T. Higgins, III officiating.

Memorial contributions may take the form of a donation to the Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20110, (www.werchurch.com); or to Vitas Community Connection, c/o Vitas Hospice - Healthcare, 1604 Springhill Road, Suite 450, Vienna, VA 22181.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center under the direction of Michael Post. Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha Droste Gillum (Droste), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.