Martha A. Hankins, age 66, of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso after battling pancreatic cancer. She was born in Hammond, Indiana on December 4, 1953 to the late Luther and Vivian (nee Townsell) Hankins.  She worked formerly as a childcare provider at the YMCA in Portage.

Martha is survived by her daughter, Hannah (Chris) Uylaki; son, John Schmidt; grandchildren, Domonique, Cheyenne, Amaya, John Jr., Alize, Grace, Destinie, Austin, Levi; great grandchild, Messiah; sister, Jeannie Leffert; brothers, Martin Hankins, Earl Hankins, John (Lourdes) Hankins, Kelly (Nina) Hankins; former husband, John W. Schmidt; special friends, the Mendez family, Jan, Yvonne; and many other loving family & friends.

It would be wrong to say that Martha lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined & had hope. When anyone else would have broke. She kept fighting. Martha stayed strong. She fought not only for herself but for her family. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance & strength truly look like. There was no quit in Martha. Just because she is no longer here, doesn't mean she lost her fight. She was a strong woman who loved her children immensely, and her grandchildren and great grandson just as fiercely.

She will be dearly missed by her family and friends

Memorial Contributions may be made in Martha's memory to The National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502.

Cremation has been entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.