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Martha Woodroof, Former WMRA Reporter And Host, Dies At Age 74

Former WMRA reporter and host Martha Woodroof died at home near Harrisonburg early Sunday morning, according to a post by her daughter on her Facebook page.

Credit Liz Gipson
Martha's daughter Liz Gipson says this photo was taken during a visit to New Mexico. On Martha's Facebook page, Liz said, 'One of the last things she said to me was, 'If you stay awake, look around, and expect people to be interesting... they are.''

Woodroof was 74 and had been diagnosed with cancer.  She joined WMRA in 2000, and won multiple awards for her feature reporting.  She also filed stories for NPR.  Woodroof was also a writer of fiction.  She published her first novel, “Small Blessings,” in 2014.  She retired from WMRA in 2016.  Her daughter Liz Gipson said that Martha would want the rest of us to continue to pass along a good deed, be cheerful with a stranger, and vote your conscience.

Listen to Matt Bingay's interview with Martha on the final episode of The Spark from 2016.

Listen to episodes of Martha's The Spark.

Bob Leweke is WMRA's News Director and Morning Edition host.