Martha Anne Tress Henderson

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Martha Anne Henderson in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the age of 86 years.

Marty was born on January 2, 1940, in Baltimore, MD to Michael and Martha Tress. She graduated from Eastern High School, Class of 1957, and earned her RN degree from the Mercy Hospital (now Mercy Medical Center) School of Nursing, Class of 1960. Nursing was indeed one of Marty’s greatest passions, and she was a tireless advocate for her patients and for providing excellent care, first in the ICU, then dedicating the majority of her forty-year career to the operating room and neurosurgery. She was a much-loved teacher and mentor of nurses within the OR setting over the course of her career in several cities, including Baltimore, Boston, San Bernardino, and Stillwater, OK. Always striving to foster excellence in her field, Marty also held several leadership positions within the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) organization.

An accomplished artist, Marty’s home was filled with her beautiful sketches and oil paintings. As a talented seamstress, she sewed numerous dresses, prom gowns, and the best Halloween costumes ever. And as a wonderful cook and baker, she was famous for her butter and nut pound cakes--always the hit of any gathering—and for her more-than-generous servings of everything.

Marty was predeceased by her infant daughter, Carolyn Christine, and is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, James A. (Jim) Henderson, son Michael (Becky) Henderson of Pawleys Island, SC, and daughter Jennifer (Chuck) Bennett of Raleigh, NC. She also leaves behind a sister, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Marty was a tireless, hard-working force of nature whom we will sorely miss and whose memory we will cherish. Please join us in celebrating her life at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh, NC 27604. 

Special thanks for the care she received from Morningside of Raleigh and HomeWell Care Services of Raleigh.