**Martha Peabody Traphagen**
*April 21, 1943 – November 23, 2025*
Martha Peabody Traphagen passed away the evening of November 23, 2025. She was under the care of Hospice of Humboldt and residing at Caring Companions Rest Home in Eureka, CA.
Martha was born on April 21, 1943, in Pasadena, California. At the age of 12, she, her mother—fondly known as Mrs. “T”—and her four sisters moved to a beach house on Balboa Island, CA. She enjoyed spending time at the beach, visiting the Fun Zone, and later the Rendezvous Ballroom, which became a favorite spot.
Martha attended Newport Harbor High School and graduated in 1961. During her high school years, she served as the editor of the school yearbook and was active in many social and school activities. While attending Orange Coast Junior College, she began working part-time as a vault teller at the Balboa Peninsula Branch of Bank of America. This role marked the beginning of her impressive 45-year banking career.
She married the late David Chandler, and their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1964. Several years later, encouraged by her sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law Fred Smith, who lived in Eureka, Martha and her family relocated to Humboldt County.
In 1971, Martha transferred to the Arcata Branch of Bank of America, where she worked for 25 years. In 1996, she was hired by Humboldt Bank as the Arcata Branch Manager and later became Manager of the Eureka Branch. Following Umpqua Bank’s acquisition of Humboldt Bank, she was promoted to Regional Manager. Martha liked to say of her career, “I started at the bottom and worked my way to the top.”
The part of banking Martha loved most was commercial lending. She was happiest when her customers’ loans were approved by the loan committee.
Martha was deeply involved in her community. She volunteered for the Arcata Breast Health Project, Cancer Society, Jazz Festival, Planned Parenthood, and Future Farmers of America. She also served on the boards for the Redwood Region Logging Conference, First Five Humboldt, HSU Foundation Board, College of the Redwoods Foundation Board, and the Lucille Clark Trust. Additionally, she was a member of the Arcata Soroptimist and later the Eureka Southwest Rotary Club.
Martha retired from banking in 2007. Her favorite times were spent entertaining friends at Ruth Lake and Perry Gulch Ranch in Mendocino. At Perry Gulch Ranch, activities such as wine tasting in Anderson Valley, hiking to the Navarro River with stops to see the albino redwood, and cruising the ranch were among her favorite pastimes. She also enjoyed entertaining guests at her home in Freshwater.
Both Martha and her husband Perry loved traveling. Some of their many adventures included trips to Greece, a boat trip up the Yangtze River and tour of China, exploring all the countries in Southeast Asia, Central America, Spain, Portugal, and the British Virgin Islands. When not traveling internationally, they would load their dog into the “Air Bus” and tour the West Coast, visiting sights and friends.
Martha is preceded in death by her father, Peter Traphagen; mother, Virginia Salisbury Traphagen; sister Elizabeth Traphagen Smith and her husband Fred Smith; and brother-in-law William Bathel.
She is survived by her husband, Perry Mayrisch; sisters Sara Traphagen and Jan Traphagen; daughter Elizabeth Castro; granddaughter Alexandra Castro Baratto; niece Lura Smith; nephews David Smith, Charles Bathel, and John Bathel; and grand nieces and nephews Andrew, Gavin, Tessa, Kaylee, Katherine, William, Beckett, and Rustin.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 10th at Baywood Golf & Country Club in Arcata from 1 to 3 p.m.
The family extends many thanks to Hospice of Humboldt County for their amazing care, as well as to all the nurses, care providers, and friends who comforted Martha during the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Martha Traphagen to Hospice of Humboldt or a charity of your choice.
https://www.northcoastjournal.com/lifelines/obituaries/martha-peabody-traphagen/