Marta Isabel Fidalgo De Meza, 87, of McGaheysville, passed away after a long illness on August 26, 2024, at her home surrounded by loved ones. Doña Marta was born in Santiago, Chile on January 19, 1937, to the late Rodrigo Fidalgo Martinez and Maria del Carmen Cea. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gabriel Meza Garcia; a brother, Adolfo Rafael Fidalgo Cea and a daughter, Lilian Flora Meza.

During her lifetime Doña Marta, as she was affectionately known, wore many hats. In Chile she worked as an assistant accountant; once she moved to the United States she worked as an ESL teacher, an assistant librarian and a Bilingual Clinical Attendant & Pediatric Clinic Manager before moving to Virginia.

In Harrisonburg she taught Spanish part time at JMU and was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where she invested her time and energy into helping the Hispanic community build a weekly church service.

Through the Spanish Ministry Program, she organized an outreach program and taught ESL to Spanish migrant workers. Doña Marta would later become an immigration counselor through the Diocese of Richmond in the Refugee and Immigration Services.

Mrs. De Meza is survived by her sister, Maria Angelica Fidalgo, of Santiago, Chile; daughters, Marisa O. Medina and husband, Neftali, of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Ximena A. Miller and husband, E.B. of McGaheysville; sons, Rodrigo Olguin and wife, Johana, of Fresno, Ca., Alvaro Olguin and partner, Jean, and Alejandro Olguin and wife, Veronica of Harrisonburg. Mrs. De Meza is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren scattered across the United States.

Per Doña Marta’s wishes, family and friends are invited to arrive at 6 p.m. on Thursday September 5, 2024 at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg to pray the rosary in her honor. The family will receive friends following the rosary service from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday September 6, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Silvio Kaberia officiating. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the McGaheysville Rescue Squad, 99 Judy Ln., McGaheysville, VA 22840.