Martha "Rocky" Cosbey

DOYLESTOWN - Martha Elizabeth “Rocky” (Hoctor) Cosbey (Mattey).  Rocky has exited stage left, the only direction a self-respecting, bleeding heart liberal would take. Martha was a force of nature and it’s hard to imagine a world without her. She was born in Rogues Hollow to Edith Mildred Collier and Michael Hoctor and was extremely proud of her Rogues Hollow heritage. An alumni of Doylestown High School class of 1964, where she was Sweetheart Queen her senior year, a commencement speaker, National Honor Society member, Varsity Debate Team member and student council officer. Also an alumni of Union College in Barberville, KY (Area in English: double major and minor in Theatre) where she was a member of Appalachian Volunteers (Peace Corp), Alpha Psi Omega Quens Honor Sorority, Milesians Honor Society, Emerald Level National Forensics Association, Honorary member of Cleveland Society of Plastics Engineers and the Ohio-Pennsylvania Landowners Association, for whom she wrote award winning essays or closing arguments in nationwide cases.  

Although Rocky could never decide exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she experienced a wide variety of occupations, her final answer to that age old question was to never grow up. She worked as a special education teacher in Wayne County, a weekly columnist for The Chippewa Valley Messenger (Doylestown Discourse), Barberton Printcraft manager, fine furniture sales and car sales, which is where she met her second husband, Raymond Mattey, who died in April. Martha experienced many losses in her life and losing Ray was the final straw. She simply couldn’t recover from her grief.

Rocky LOVED her Cleveland Browns and was excited at the prospect of a winning season this year. She was an activist in local, state and national politics, going door to door with petitions to stop whichever boogeyman was coming after our rights, our land, our water or our air and to stop the denigration of our public schools. Her standard greeting when you answered your door was, “Hello, I’m the local rabble rouser…” Always passionate in her fight for we-the-people, she was a descendant of two officers in the Revolutionary War and felt it was her mission to carry on the fight for democracy. Her grandmother, Mildred “Bobbie” White Collier, impressed upon her from an early age that we have a responsibility to preserve our rights or we will lose the rights to independence and democracy. She was a candidate for 93rd District House of Representative in the 1980's. She instilled a love of all living things in her children and would give you the shirt off her back, if needed.

She was a proud member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Barberton, where she had been active in the choir and vestry for many years. She was a member of the Barberton-Norton-Wadsworth Peace Studies Group.  

Awaiting her on the other side is her youngest child, John Justus Cosbey, Jr. who was killed in a tragic car accident  in 1977 when he was just 3 years old, taking a piece of her heart with him. Also waiting for her is her beloved husband Raymond Mattey, her beautiful sister, Susan Ford Norris Gattuso and her son, Matthew, who was also killed in an auto accident the day after his 10th birthday in 1982, her mother, Edith Collier Davidson, father, Michael Hoctor, and step-father, Edward Davidson Sr.

Martha is survived by her beautiful daughters, Shannon (Bryan) Slabaugh of Doylestown and Erin (Brian) Cosbey Hartger of Irvine, CA; Of course, Rocky was always bursting with pride over her grandchildren, Brett Slabaugh, Courtney Slabaugh and Austin Hartger. Brothers, Dale (Mary) Ford of Tucson, AZ and Edward Davidson Jr. of Doylestown, OH, special cousins, Max Lindeman (Liam) Collins of Wisconsin, Doug Blanar (Kevin Stone) of Florida and Ralph the sheltie, who held a most beloved place in her heart.  In addition, she leaves two stepsons, Jeffrey (Anita) and Timothy (Leona) Mattey and their children, Brandon, Alex, Jackson and Mason Mattey, first husband, John J. Cosbey, Sr. and many dear friends who have been so kind and supportive. 

Cremation has taken place. Rocky’s life will be honored in prayer at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 591 W. Hopocan Ave., Barberton, OH, 44203 where a celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Michael A. Petrochuk, officiating.  Calling hours will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home, 132 N. Portage St., Doylestown, OH, 44230 and one hour prior to service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church in her name. To honor her memory, please recycle and make it a lifelong practice. The earth is sacred. 

May you find peace now, mom. There is a chorus of family angels waiting for you in heaven. We love you and will miss you every day. Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)

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