Martha Virginia Hassey Aguirre, age 73, took her first breath of heaven on Friday, September 25, 2026, after a brief battle with urothelial cancer. She was born March 4, 1953 in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii, to Wilma and Milam Hassey.

Martha will be remembered for many things: her strong faith; her love of music and children; her love of and devotion to family and friends; her selfless dedication to service; her generosity of time and money; her pursuit of education and improvement; her desire to help those less fortunate; her focus on each child she taught, and ability to meet each one’s needs; her standard goodbye of, “I’m glad you got to see me.”

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lutz David Aguirre; her sisters Linda Bridges (Tom) and Susan Bailey; her children James Aguirre (Faith) and Lisa Williams (Jonathan); her grandchildren Patrick, Layla, Isaac, and Zoe; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents in 1986 and 2016, her brother Arthur in 2013, both sets of grandparents, and all 18 of her uncles, aunts, and their spouses.

Martha was well traveled as a Navy brat and Army wife: born in Hawaii, she also lived in California twice, Maryland twice, the Philippines, Italy, Virginia, and Texas, all by the time she was 10 years old and her father retired. She graduated from San Marcos High School in 1971, and married David in September that same year. She then traveled with him to Germany twice, South Carolina, Texas, and finally Georgia (in 1987), where they settled in. 

Matha gave her life to Christ at an early age, in 2nd grade, and became an active member of the local Baptist church or military chapel every time they moved. She always found someplace to serve, singing in the choir, playing the piano, teaching small groups or individuals, serving on committees, ringing handbells, or directing children’s choir. When the family came to Columbus, Georgia, they immediately joined Gentian Baptist Church, where she sang in the adult choir, and for many years was the Director of Children's Music.

Her burning desire to learn is evidenced throughout her life, taking academic classes here and there as time and location permitted, learning sign language and German, and improving her sewing techniques; once in Columbus, she felt led to pursue an academic education seriously; she enrolled at Columbus State University for a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999. About a year later, she began a program to pursue a Masters of Divinity in Christian Education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and graduated there in 2006.

Starting as early as Junior High, Martha taught in some capacity, and was eager to share what she knew, especially in music. She was a natural teacher, patient and compassionate with children, whether tutoring, working at Blanchard Elementary as a teacher's aide, teaching CSU-sponsored Kindermusik, training teachers for children’s choir, teaching at the Church Music Academy, or lending assistance informally. For almost 3 years, she served as the Children’s Minister at Calvary Baptist Church, and for 8 seasons volunteered as the rehearsal pianist for the Queen’s Carolers. She loved it all. She was an active member of the Columbus Music Teachers Association (CMTA), and has held several officer positions there, most recently Treasurer.

Concurrent with her undergraduate degree, she began teaching private piano in her living room with 2 students, mostly as a favor to a couple of church members. Through word-of-mouth, she soon had a dozen students. During 2002, she converted part of her basement into a studio, and in January 2003, officially opened the Bach Door Studio. Her student load fluctuated, but saw an overall increase each year, and when the 2026 Spring Recital season ended, she had 64 students, aged 5 ½ through adult. Martha loved Jesus and loved children, and considered her studio a ministry and outreach; in October and November 2025, she was hospitalized, and kept telling the nurses she needed to get well so she could get back to teaching “her” children.

Early in September, Martha recognized that recovery from this cancer was not possible, and she began giving her husband and sister instructions and last wishes: “don’t try to pray me out of my Savior’s arms, but pray that the transition is easy; take care of each other; remind my children and grandchildren that I love them very much; notify my students that I am closing the studio; tell my friends I’ll see them later.” She had requested cremation, a simple and upbeat memorial service to celebrate her life, and donations to Gentian Baptist Church or the Gideons in lieu of flowers.

A Celebration of Life was held on September 28, 2026 at Gentian Baptist Church. Cremation handled by McMullen Funeral Home. 

The family is overwhelmed by and grateful for the kindness, compassion, words of encouragement, gifts, food, notes of “Martha Memories,” and other support shown. We wish to thank: her students and their families; teachers and former teachers of the Columbus Music Teachers Association and Church Music Academy; singers of the Queen’s Carolers; friends of the family; the medical staffs of Columbus Hospice and Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital; and especially the staff and members of Gentian Baptist Church. Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support.