Martha Riedel

Martha Riedel, 20, passed away on the morning of April 15, 2022, surrounded by her loving family at their home in Boulder, Colorado.

She is survived by her parents, Margaret (Badar) and Ned Riedel, her older brothers, Ian and Sean, her twin sister, Annie, and her two beloved dogs, Scruffy and Bean. Born in Boulder on January 10, 2002, Martha lived for her family and cherished the close and sacred bonds they shared. She will forever be remembered and admired for her compassionate soul, courageous spirit, and creative talent, and for her inquisitive mind and irreverent sense of humor. Martha had a unique and authentic way of bringing joy to everyone who knew her, and her many relatives, friends, neighbors, classmates, educators, healthcare providers, and coaches are left profoundly impacted by her life and legacy.

Martha held strong convictions about what it means to be a good person. She believed in equity for all, regardless of one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, or race. Martha was also passionate about learning and education. She honored the sciences and believed in the power of data and the scientific method to discover and verify information about our world. From a very early age, Martha demonstrated incredible creative abilities and remained a lifelong artist and maker. She was an award-winning potter and leader in the arts community at Boulder High School and beyond.

Martha loved delicious food and physical activity. Whether it was snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, yoga, or standup paddleboarding, she lived for fun and adventure. Martha also had a passion for traveling to both new and familiar destinations. One of her favorite places to visit was a spot on the shores of Lake Michigan where she enjoyed paddling out into the calm water to take in the beauty of the natural world.

In 2020, Martha received the Casey Award, the highest honor given to a Boulder High School student. She was a four-year member and captain of the Boulder High School Mountain Bike Team, and her coaches, teammates, and the entire local mountain bike community occupied a special place in Martha’s life journey. She was well-known for her dedication to training, riding, and finishing every race despite her health challenges.

Diagnosed with metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma when she was 13, Martha faced her cancer diagnosis and the next seven years of treatment with remarkable courage and her trademark sense of humor. She dedicated much of her time and energy during those years to the effort to find better treatment options and a cure for other young people like herself. Martha’s legacy is one of strength, courage, and love. ForeverMarthaStrong.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation (https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1091100/2022) , a leader in childhood cancer research and Martha’s charity of choice. If you choose to donate, please do so through the direct link provided or state that your donation is “in memory of Martha Riedel.”

Visit CaringBridge (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/teammartha13) to read more about Martha. Site Name: teammartha13