In loving memory of Martha Ellen Sodetani
DOWNEY — Martha Ellen (Medford) Sodetani was our beloved matriarch. Our precious mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all, passed away unexpectedly at her treasured Downey home.
Martha was born on April 5, 1944, to Larry and Elise Medford in Long Beach, California. She was a proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High, belonged to many Long Beach groups, and loved her Long Beach Press-Telegram newspaper.
Throughout her life, Martha was known for her faith, kindness, strength, generosity, and tireless service to others. She devoted herself to her family and brought warmth, encouragement, and love to everyone fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her. Her presence made a lasting difference in the lives of her family, friends, and community.
Our family is a circle of love. Martha is survived by her children and grandchildren, the jewels in her crown: Kimberly Ann (Robert Van Loon) Sodetani, Robert Christopher (Dottie) Brewer, Melissa Ann (Lori Alexander) Sodetani, Gordon Michael Sodetani, and Skylar Elise Sodetani. Her grandchildren shall always be Grammy’s treasures: Valerie Elise (Steven) Valdovinos, Jordan Christopher (Bethany) Brewer, Justine Louise Rapp, Joanna Christine Brewer, Kennedy Kathleen Sodetani, and great-grandson Logan James Valdovinos, as well as her beloved nephews and their families, all of whom will cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Gordon Shuichi Sodetani, her precious little sister Linda Ruth (Patrick) Marfone, baby Kaliko Sky Sodetani, her mother, father, and great grandmother Iva Clark Fensler, et al.
More about her grandchildren. She would take them on epic road trips they will always remember, as she drove them to places such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Palm Springs, the Dakotas, and always to many SoCal beaches, especially Main Street in Seal Beach. It is all about the journey, not the destination.
Martha was a staunch advocate for children, as evidenced by her 17 years as a respected Downey Unified School District Board Member, as well as through her leadership and volunteer work with organizations she dedicated her life to: The Assistance League of Downey, Gangs Out of Downey (GOOD), The Dr. Mary Stauffer Foundation, USC Town & Gown, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Downey Coordinating Council, CHARACTER COUNTS!, and the Downey Council PTA HELPS Room. The HELPS Room was very near and dear to her heart, and she would say that “peace begins when the hungry are fed,” a slogan of yet another organization she and Daddy volunteered for quite a few years ago, Heifer Project International.
She would often tell us to think globally and act locally, and while volunteering to always stay focused on the mission at hand. Martha and Gordon were foster and adoptive parents, and Martha also served as an educator for people wanting to be foster and/or adoptive parents. We must also add that they were in a marching handbell choir together and performed in numerous parades, including the Disneyland parade.
Martha also volunteered many years ago with LIGA International’s Flying Doctors of Mercy and would travel in private planes to assist in rural clinics to deliver free health and dental care to underserved communities such as Tesopaco, Mexico, where many lived in caves on the side of mountains and rode burros to the clinics.
She was a student for many years at the Marion Rankin Dance Studio in Long Beach, which was a blessing in disguise during an incredibly challenging time in her life as a young mother of two young children. She moved to Las Vegas and worked as a dancer and showgirl for several years at the Flamingo, where she was the lead in the Folies Bergère, Silver Slipper, and The Dunes Hotel.
Martha was formally recognized with numerous Congressional, Senate, State, County, City, and DUSD honors for her service to the community, including the Mayor’s Distinguished Citizen Award, the PTA Golden Oak Award, Soroptimist Woman of the Year, the Mayor’s Healthy Heart Award, GOOD, Downey Rose Float Association, Department of Children and Family Services, Angels in Adoption Congressional Program, and what a thrill it was for her to be selected as Grand Marshal of the Downey Christmas Parade by the Downey Chamber of Commerce.
She took in injured crows (and other birds) that neighbors would find and bring to her, and she lovingly hand-fed and rehabilitated them whenever possible. Stray dogs somehow also found a path to her doorstep; she was a lover of all animals and loved watching and listening to birds as she would sit in front of her beloved Downey home.
Her memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 16, at 10 AM at her home church, Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, 90018. Services will be immediately followed by a repast at Holman.
As mama liked to say, we are all walking each other home. She loved her faith, family, animals, music, and giving until she had nothing else to give of herself for others. She was a hippie at heart, believing in positivity, peace, love, and happiness; she was against war and wished for peace on earth. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered; her love will continue to live on through the family she cherished, the lessons she shared, and the countless lives she touched. Amen.
Full list of awards and recognitions:
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
• Certificate of recognition as a featured speaker at the Women’s Empowerment Conference, 2025.
• Certificate of recognition as the Protector of Children award winner, Community Guidance Family Center, 2024.
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in honor of receiving the Protector of Children Award, 2024.
• Certificate of Congressional Recognition for selection as the Downey Council PTA HELPS Room Volunteer of the Year, 2023.
• Certificate of Congressional Recognition of tenure as Downey Coordinating Council’s 1st Vice President, 2023.
• Certificate of recognition in honor of retirement from the Downey Unified School District Board of Education, 2021.
• Certificate of Congressional recognition of outstanding commitment to the students of DUSD, and appreciation of exemplary leadership while serving as DUSD Board President, 2017.
• Certificate of Congressional Recognition on behalf of GOOD, 2014.
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community, 2008.
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community, 2007.
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE
• Certificate of recognition for support of the Downey Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Empowerment Conference, 2025.
• Certificate of recognition as a recipient of the Protector of Children Award, 2024.
• Certificate of recognition Woman of Achievement for the 32nd District, 2019.
• Certificate of recognition for continued dedication and service as DUSD Board of Education, 2017.
• Certificate of recognition for dedication and service to our schools, our children, and our community (re-election), 2013.
• Certificate of recognition for participation in the 27th Senate District’s Third Annual Young Women’s Empowerment Conference, 2009.
• Certificate of recognition for Downey Coordinating Council’s Outstanding Volunteer, 2008.
• Certificate of recognition for service as Board Member Secretary to the Downey Coordinating Council, 2007.
• Resolution No. 475 to Martha & Gordon Sodetani for service to the community, 2007.
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY
• Certificate of recognition for Mayor’s Outstanding Citizen Award, 2025.
• Certificate of recognition as a featured speaker at the Downey Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Women’s Conference, 2025.
• Certificate of recognition for the Downey Council PTA HELPS Room volunteerism, 2023.
• Certificate of recognition for 17 years of service on the Downey Unified School Board, 2022.
• Certificate of recognition for tenure as President of the 2017 Downey Unified School District Board, 2017.
• California State Assembly certificate of recognition on behalf of GOOD, 2014.
• Certificate of recognition for outstanding voluntary service to the city with the Downey Coordinating Council, 2008.
• Certificate of recognition for service to the Downey Coordinating Council, 2007.
• Two certificates of recognition as Board Member Secretary of the Coordinating Council, 2007.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
• Commendation as the Protector of Children award winner, 2024.
• Certificate of recognition for being the Downey Council PTA HELPS Room award honoree, 2023.
• Commendation as a Board Member for 17 years of service in the Downey Unified School District, 2022.
• Commendation as 2016-17 President of the Downey Unified School District, 2017.
• Certificate of recognition for GOOD’s 25th anniversary (1989-2014), 2014.
CITY OF DOWNEY
• Certificate of recognition as speaker for the Women’s Empowerment Conference, 2025.
• Mayor’s Outstanding Citizen Award for over 17 years of service and contributions to the Downey community, 2025.
• Certificate of recognition for heartfelt service for families, schools, and Downey residents in need within the community, 2024.
• Certificate of recognition for outstanding service to the Downey Council PTA HELPS Room, 2023.
• Certificate of recognition for success and commitment to the city’s youth and her exemplary service as a Downey Unified School District Board Member, 2022.
• Certificate of recognition for commitment to the students of the city and exemplary service as President of the Downey Unified School District Board of Education, 2017.
• Mayor’s Healthy Heart Award, 2017.
• Certificate of appreciation in recognition of receiving the Downey Council PTA’s Honorary Service Award, 2013.
• Certificate of recognition in appreciation of commitment to DUSD and the families of Downey through service as a School Board Member, 2011.
• Certificate of appreciation of outstanding volunteer service to the Downey City Library, 2010.
• Certificate of recognition in appreciation of service to our children, our community, and the city, 2009.
• Mayor’s Diakonia Award in recognition of outstanding service to the city, 2009.
• Certificate of appreciation for outstanding volunteer service and support of the Downey Coordinating Council, 2008.
• Certificate of appreciation and recognition to commend for outstanding community dedication, and nomination for Woman of the Year by Assemblywoman Havice, 2002.
DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
• Plaque with gavel for appreciation in honor of dedicated service as School Board President 2016-17.
• Plaque with gavel for appreciation in honor of dedicated service as School Board President 2010-11.
• Certificate of appreciation for valuable contributions to Maude Price Elementary, 2010.
• Certificate for completion of course of study for the Master’s in Governance Program as a school board member, 2009.
PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS (PTA), Thirty-Third District
• Certificate of achievement award as Chairman of Foster Children, 2015.
• Certificate of appreciation, Honorary Service Award for your service, 2012.
• Certificate of appreciation, State PTA, Honorary Service Award for outstanding service to children and youth, and contribution to the HSA programs and grants fund, 2012.
GANGS OUT OF DOWNEY (GOOD)
• Plaque with gavel for appreciation for leadership and commitment as President of GOOD, 2013-14.
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE AMERICAS
• Woman of Distinction in recognition of professional/voluntary accomplishments in education, 2003.
DOWNEY COORDINATING COUNCIL
• Certificate of appreciation for outstanding volunteer service as President, 2023.
• Certificate of appreciation for outstanding volunteer service, 2008.
• Certificate of appreciation for outstanding volunteer service as Secretary, 2007.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVCES
• Certificate of recognition for their Outstanding Caregiver Award for dedication and commitment to children and families, 2009.
DOWNEY ROSE FLOAT ASSOCIATION
• Honorary Miss Downey Plaque in recognition for love, service, and dedication to the city and its youth through her volunteer efforts, 2007.
ANGELS IN ADOPTION CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM
• Recognized as an Angel in Adoption for extraordinary contributions on behalf of children in need of a loving family, undated.
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA INTERNATIONAL, Delta Kappa Chapter
• Plaque for outstanding public service, 2011.