Martha Peabody Traphagen passed away the evening of November 23, 2025. She was under the care Hospice of Humboldt and residing in Caring Companions Rest Home in Eureka.

Martha was born April 21, 1943 in Pasadena. When she was 12, her mother (also fondly known as Mrs. “T”) and her four daughters moved to a beach house on Balboa Island. She enjoyed time at the beach and a trip to the Fun Zone. Later the Rendezvous Ball Room became a favorite spot.

Martha attended Newport Harbor High School and graduated in 1961. She was the editor of the school yearbook and active in many social and school activities. While attended Orange Coast Junior College she started working part-time as a vault teller at the Balboa Peninsula Branch of Bank of America. This was to be the start of a 45-year banking career. She married the late David Chandler, and her daughter Elizabeth was born in 1964. Several years later, her sister Elizabeth and husband Fred Smith who lived in Eureka encouraged Martha and her family to move north to Humboldt County.

In 1971, Martha transferred to the Arcata Branch of Bank of America, where she worked for 25 years. In 1996 Martha was hired by Humboldt Bank as the Arcata Branch Manager and later as manager for the Eureka Branch. When Umpqua Bank acquired Humboldt Bank, she was promoted to regional manager. She 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 enjoyed being involved in her community. She volunteered for: The Arcata Breast Health Project, Cancer Society, Jazz Festival, Planned Parenthood and Future Farmers of America. She 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. She was a member of Arcata Soroptimist and later 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 Gulf Ranch there was, wine tasting in Anderson Valley, hiking to the Navarro River with a stop to see the albino redwood or cruising the ranch were her favorite past times. Of course, she enjoyed entertaining friends at her home in Freshwater.

Both she and Perry enjoyed traveling. Some of their many trips were to Greece, a boat trip up the Yangtze River and tour of China, all the countries in Southeast Asia, Central America, Spain, Portugal and the British Virgin Islands. When not traveling across the pond, they would load the dog in the “Air Bus” and tour the west visiting sights and friends.

Martha is preceded in death by her father Peter Traphagen and mother Virginia Salisbury Traphagen; her sister Elizabeth Traphagen Smith and 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 and John Bathel, and grand nephews and nieces Andrew, Gavin, Tessa, Kaylee, Katherine, William, Beckett and Rustin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 10th at Baywood Golf & Country Club, Arcata from 1-3 p.m. .

Many thanks to Hospice of Humboldt County for their amazing care and to all the nurses, care providers and friends who comforted her 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.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Martha Traphagen’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.